Cethegus felt his heart beat.
"The freedom of Rome!" continued Theodora. "Nonsense! You know that only strong and simple men can be trusted with freedom. And you know your Quirites. No, your aim lies higher."
"Is it possible that this woman guesses what all my enemies and friends do not even suspect?" thought Cethegus.
"You wish to free Italy alone, and alone rule her as Justinian's vice-regent. To be next to his throne, high above Belisarius and Narses, and second only to Theodora. And if there were any higher goal, yours would be the spirit to fly at it."
Cethegus breathed again.
"That would hardly be worth the trouble," he thought.
"Oh," continued Theodora, "it is a proud feeling to be the first of Justinian's servants!"
"Of course," thought Cethegus, "she is not capable of imagining anything superior to her husband, although she deceives him daily."
"And," Theodora went on, "to rule him, the Emperor, in company with me."
"The flattering atmosphere of this court dulls even the clearest intellect," thought Cethegus. "It is the madness of the purple. She can only think of herself as all-commanding."