He went up to Mataswintha's couch.
"He is dead!" she quietly said.
"He would not have it otherwise. He--and you. It is useless to reproach you. But you see what ensues when you oppose me. The report of his death will inevitably rouse the barbarians to new fury. You have created a difficult task for me; for you only are the cause of his flight and death. The least that you can do to atone for this is to fulfil my second wish. Prince Germanus has landed. He comes to fetch you. You will follow him."
"Where is the corpse?"
"It has not been found. The current has carried it away; his body and--the woman's."
Mataswintha's lips twitched.
"Even in death! She died with him?"
"Think no more of the dead. In two hours I will return with the Prince. Will you then be prepared to welcome him?"
"I shall be ready."
"'Tis well. We will be punctual."