nt. Through my
Cethegus I will rule the Occident!"

"Ambitious, insatiable woman!" thought Cethegus. "Oh that Mataswintha
had not died! She at this court--and you would sink for ever!"

"But to gain this," said Theodora, "Belisarius must be got out
of the way. Justinian had resolved to send him once more as your
commander-in-chief to Italy."

Cethegus frowned.

"He trusts again and again to his dog-like fidelity. He must be
thoroughly convinced of his falsity."

"That will be difficult to manage," said Cethegus. "Theodora will
sooner learn to be faithful than Belisarius to be false."

A blow from Theodora's little hand was the punishment for this speech.

"To you, foolishly, I have been ever faithful--that is, in affection.
Do you want Belisarius again in Italy?"

"On no account!"

"Then help me to ruin him, together with Anicius, the son of Boethius."

"So be it," said the Prefect. "I have no reason to spare the brother of
Severinus. But how can you possibly bring proofs against Belisarius? I
am really curious. If you accomplish _that_, I will declare myself no
less a novice in plots and machinations than in love and hatred."

"And that you are, you dull son of Latium! Now listen. But it is such a
dangerous subject, that I must beg thee, Galatea, to keep watch that no
one comes and listens. No, my good mother, not inside! I beg thee;
_outside_ the door. Leave me alone with the Prefect: it is--more's the
pity--no secret of love?"

When, after some time, the Prefect left the room, he said to himself:

"If this woman were a man--I should kill her! She would be more
dangerous than the barbarians and Belisarius together! But then,
certainly, the iniquity would be neither so inscrutable nor so
devilish!"

CHAPTER IX.

Soon after the Prefect had returned home, Syphax announced the son of
Boethius, who came from the Empress.

"'Let him enter, and admit no one else until he has gone," said
Cethegus. "Meanwhile send quickly for Piso, the tribune."

And he rose to meet Anicius, who now entered the room.

Anicius was no longer a youth, and his delicate features were much
improved by the expression of resolution which at this moment rested
upon them. He was dressed very simply, and his hair, which was usually
curled, now hung straight down.

"You remind me of your beautiful sister, Anicius."

With these words the Prefect received his visitor.

"It is on her account, C