rtue, or of heaven! Anicius has
told me this very day that he can bear this life without fame and
honour no more--that heaven and earth call him away. He shall repent
it--together with her. Come, Cethegus," she said furiously, grasping
his arm, "come; we will destroy them both!"

"You forget," said Cethegus coldly, "that I have no reason to hate
either her or him. So what I do will be done for your sake."

"Not so, you wise and icy Roman! Do you believe that I do not see
through you?"

"I hope not," thought Cethegus.

"You wish to keep Belisarius away from Italy. You wish to fight and
conquer alone. Or at most with a shadow beside you, such as Bessas was
and Areobindos will be. Do you think I did not understand why you so
cleverly managed the recall of Belisarius when before Ravenna? Anxiety
for Justinian! What is Justinian to you?"

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."

"Yes, Cethegus," continued Theodora; "I would allow no other man even
to _think_ of this. But I will help you to obtain it. With you I will
share the mastery of the world. Perhaps only because I remember many a
foolish youthful dream. Do you still remember how, years ago, we shared
two cushions in my little villa? We called them the Orient and the
Occident. It was an omen. So will we now share the Orient and the
Occident. Through my Justinian I will rule the Orie