protects the farmer against the taxing Greek. As a result, his army
grows; where he passes, he leaves a good report, and before him goes
a welcome. At this rate he will soon make all Italy his own. And
unless the Patricius returns--'

By this title men were wont to speak of Belisarius. Hearing it,
Basil threw up an arm, his eyes flashing.

'The Patricius!' he exclaimed fervently. 'There is the man who might
have saved us!'

'By the holy Laurentius!' murmured Maximus, looking sadly at his
nephew, 'I have all but come to think as you do.'

'Who that knew him,' cried Basil, 'but must have seen him, in
thought--not King, for only the barbarians have kings--but
Emperor--Emperor of the West, ruling at Rome as in the days gone
by! There lives no man more royal. I have seen him day by day
commanding and taking counsel; I have talked with him in his
privacy. In the camp before Ravenna there was but one voice, one
hope, as to what should follow when the city opened its gates, and
the Goths themselves only surrendered because they thought to be
ruled by him. But for the scruple of his conscience--and should
not that have yielded to the general good?'

'Is breach of faith so light a thing?' fell from Marcian, under his
breath.

'Nay,' answered the other, with drooping head, 'but he did break
faith with _us_. We had his promise; we saw him Emperor--'