Strong and conflicting emotions passed over the heart of the Goth. The
language of the girl had quickened the remembrance of his half-forgotten
duties, and strengthened the failing influence of his old predilections
of education and race. Both conscience and inclination now opposed his
disputing her urgent and unselfish request. For a few minutes he
remained in deep reflection; then he rose and looked earnestly from the
window; then back again upon Antonina and the room they occupied. At
length, as if animated by a sudden determination, he again approached
his companion, and thus addressed her:--
'It is right that I should return. I will do your bidding, and depart
for the camp (but not till the break of day), while you, Antonina,
remain in concealment and in safety here. None can come hither to
disturb you. The Goths will not revisit the fields they have already
stripped; the husbandman who owns this dwelling is imprisoned in the
beleaguered city; the peasants from the country beyond dare not approach
so near to the invading hosts; and Goisvintha, whom you dread, knows not
even of the existence of such a refuge as this.
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