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.