"For thee!" she sighed, and fell back.
He forgot Neapolis, danger, and death.
"Miriam!" he cried again, and stretched out both his hands.
An arrow touched his horse's flank; the noble animal reared. The portcullis began to rise. Thorismuth caught Totila's bridle, wrenched his horse round, and gave it such a stroke with the flat of his sword, that it galloped away like the wind.
"Up and away, sir!" he cried, rushing after Totila. "They must be speedy who would overtake us!"
And the riders flew back on the Via Capuana, the way that they had come. Not far behind followed Johannes, ignorant of the way, and confused by the darkness of the night.
Totila's party presently met with the garrison of the Castle of Aurelian, which was marching towards Neapolis.
They all halted together upon a hill, whence they could see the city and the ramparts, partially illuminated by the Byzantine watch-fires on the walls.
Only then did Totila recover from his grief and consternation.
"Farewell, Miriam!" he sighed. "Farewell, Uliaris! Neapolis, I shall see thee again!"