ice, and locked her in a
tender embrace.

"Those two belong to each other," said Duke Guntharis, who had followed
the youth.

"Like the dawn and the rising sun," added Teja.

"But now," said the girl, as she quietly withdrew from Adalgoth's arms,
"let me fulfil my errand and the behest of my dying grandfather. Here,
O King, take this roll and read it. In it is contained the fate of
Adalgoth and Gotho; the past and the present, said our grandfather."

CHAPTER XII.

The King broke the seals and read:

"'This is written by Hildegisel, the son of Hildemuth, whom they call
"the long;" once priest, now castellan at Teriolis. Written at the
dictation of old Iffa; and it is all written down faithfully. Lo!--now
it begins! The Latin is not always as good as that sung in the
churches. But thou, O King, wilt understand it. For where it is bad
Latin it is good Gothic. Lo!--now it really begins. Thus speaks the old
man Iffa: My Lord and King Totila; the roll which is wrapped in this
cover is the writing of the man Wargs, who, however, was neither my
son, nor was his name Wargs--but his name was Alaric, and he was a
Balthe, the banished Duke of----'"

A ay of astonishment from all present interrupted the King. He paused.
But Duke Guntharis cried:

"Then Adalgoth, who calls himself the son of Wargs, is the son of
Alaric! whom he himself, in his office of herald, has often, riding
through the town on a white horse, loudly summoned to appear. And never
saw I a greater resemblance than that between the father Alaric and the
son Adalgoth."

"Hail to the Duke of Apulia!" cried Totila, with a smile, as he
embraced the boy.

But, speechless with excitement, Gotho sank upon her knees, her eyes
filled with tears, and, looking up at Adalgoth, she sighed:

"Then thou art not my brother! O God!--Hail, Duke of Apulia! Farewell!
farewell for ever!" and she rose to her feet and turned to go.

"Not my sister!" cried Adalgoth. "That is the best thing which this
dukedom brings me! Stop there!" and he caught Gotho in his arms,
pressed her to his bosom, and kissed her heartily. Then he led her
up to the King, saying, "Now, King Totila, unite us! Here is my
bride--here is my duchess!"

And Totila, who had meanwhile cast a rapid glance over the two
documents, answered smiling:

"In this case I do not need the wisdom of Solomon. Young Duke of
Apulia, thus I betroth thee to thy bride." And he laid the