"Oh! would that I might die now," murmured Miriam to herself; "now, upon his breast, if not with him!"
In the tower Totila found Valeria, stretched upon Miriam's bed, under the care of Julius and her female slaves. She was pale and weak from loss of blood, but composed and quiet.
Totila flew to her side. Miriam stood at the window with a beating heart, and looked silently at the burning city.
Totila had scarcely convinced himself that the wound was very slight, than he again sprang up and cried:
"You must go! Immediately! This very moment! In another hour Belisarius may storm the city. I have once more filled my ships with fugitives. They will take you to Cajeta, and thence to Rome. Afterwards you must hasten to Taginæ to your estate. Julius will accompany you."
"Yes," said Julius, "for we go the same way."
"The same way? Whither art thou bound?"
"To Gaul, to my home. I cannot bear to see this terrible struggle any longer. You know well that all Italy has risen against you. My fellow-countrymen fight under Belisarius. Shall I raise my hand against them, or against you? I will go."
Totila turned silently to Valeria.
"My friend," she said, "it seems to me that our star has set for ever! Scarcely has my father gone to lay your oath at the throne of God, than Neapolis, the third city of the realm, falls."