"Perhaps!" sighed the Queen. "Of what use is a 'perhaps?'" "Ha! death and destruction!" exclaimed Cethegus, now carried away by his anger. "How happened that?" Suddenly she started from her reverie. "Ja nama sanat olkoot jaahyvaisemme. Kiitokseksi nelikymmenvuotisesta uskollisuudestasi kerron vain sinulle yksin, en tyttarelleni enka Cassiodorukselle, mika minua on vaivannut. Sano: mita kansa luulee ja mita sina luulet syyksi synkkamielisyyteen, joka yht'akkia valtasi minut ja sorti minut talle tautivuoteelle?" And rowing rapidly, he pressed with all his might upon the oar, so that the boat flew forward as if winged. "Sina olet pannut alttiiksi henkesi minun vuokseni." � Ja han ojensi hanelle kaksi oikean katensa sormea. Han ojensi pikarin Camillalle. Cethegus meni hanen luokseen: "He eivat palaa � jos niin tahdot." "Alus vasemmalla! Mika laiva se on? Kenen se on?" At midnight all the entrances to the palace had been closed, and guarded by Goths. In the Forum Honorum, before the palace, a troop of cavalry had been placed. On the broad marble steps that led up to the grand colonnade of the principal entrance, lay, in picturesque groups, strong companies of Gothic foot-soldiers, armed with shield and spear. Schnaubend, zitternd, blickte das Thier in die schwarze Flut � die Mahne flog wirr kopfuber � die Vorderfu?e vorgestreckt, den Hinterbug zuruckgehemmt. After the removal of the three dukes, Amalaswintha had maintained an expectant attitude. Although by the fall of the heads of the aristocratic opposition she had obtained some freedom of action, yet the National Assembly at Regeta, near Rome, was soon to be held, when she must either completely exculpate herself from all suspicion of murder, or lose her crown, and perhaps her life. Only until the assembly had taken place did Witichis and his adherents promise her their protection. She therefore made every effort to strengthen her position before the decisive moment arrived. She hoped nothing more from Cethegus; she had seen through his selfish motives.