The portcullis was slowly raised, and Totila was just about to give his horse the spur, when a woman rushed from the row of soldiers, and cast herself before the animal's hoofs.
"Fly!" she cried. "The enemy is before you! the city is taken!"
But she could not finish; a lance penetrated her heart.
"Miriam!" cried Totila, horrified, and checked his horse.
But Thorismuth, who was close behind, and who had long been suspicious, now reached his arm past the grating, and separated the rope which held the portcullis up with his sword, so that the portcullis fell with a loud crash just in front of Totila.
A hail of spears and arrows flew through the portcullis.
"Up with the portcullis!" cried Johannes from within. "Out! Upon them!"
But Totila did not move.
"Miriam! Miriam!" he cried in great grief.
Once more she opened her eyes, with a dying look of love and pain. That look told everything; it pierced Totila's heart.