And, locked in a fast embrace, husband and wife sank into the river.
In bitter grief, Wachis, on the farther shore, called their names. In vain. Three times he called, and then galloped away into the night.
"Get the bodies out," ordered Cethegus grimly, turning his horse to the bank.
And the Huns rode and swam to the rock, and sought for the bodies. But they sought in vain.
The rapid current had carried man and wife, united now for ever, into the free and open sea.
The same day Prince Germanus had returned from Ariminum to the harbour of Ravenna, ready to take Mataswintha to Byzantium.
The latter was only roused from the faint into which she had fallen when left by Witichis and Rauthgundis, by the noise of the hammers with which the work-people broke open the passage to liberate the soldiers.
The Princess was found crouching upon the steps of the prison. She was carried up to her chamber in a high fever. She lay for hours upon her purple cushions without moving or speaking, her eyes fixed in a wild stare.
Towards noon Cethegus asked for admission.
His look was dark and threatening; his expression cold as ice.