as seen approaching, making its way through the crowd, conducting a man
with uncovered head, unarmed, and carrying a branch in his right hand as
a symbol of peace.

As he passed before the fire the ruddy glow of the flames fell full upon
his face and the Forum reverberated with a clamor of indignation. They
had recognized him:

"Alorcus! It is Alorcus!"

"Traitor!"

"Ingrate!"

Many hands reached for their swords to fall upon him; above the heads of
the multitude menacing arms brandished spears; but the presence of the
Elders, and the sad smile of the Celtiberian restrained them. Moreover,
the people felt the weakness of hunger; they had little strength left
for indignation, and they were eager to hear the messenger, to learn the
fate reserved for them by the enemy.

Alorcus advanced until he stood before the Elders, and the great
concourse subsided into profound silence, interrupted only by the
crackling of the wood in the fire. All eyes were fixed on the
Celtiberian.

"Alcon the prudent is not with you?" he began.

They glanced around in surprise. It was true; until then the absence of
the man who was first in all public acts, had not been noticed.

"You look for him in vain," continued the Celtiberian. "Alcon is in the
camp of Hannibal. Heart-broken over the condition of the city, realizing
that it is impossible to persist longer in the defense, he has
sacrificed himself for you, and at the risk of his life he came to
Hannibal's tent a few hours ago to beg him, with tears, to have
compassion upon you."

"And why has he not returned with you?" asked one of the Elders.

"He was afraid and ashamed to repeat Hannibal's words to you----the
conditions which he imposed for the surrender of the city."

The silence grew more oppressive. The multitude divined in the terror of
the absent Alcon the frightful demands of the conqueror which made all
hearts beat fast with dread even before hearing them.

Fresh groups of people kept straggling in to the Forum. Even the
defenders of the city abandoned the walls, attracted by the event, and
stood at the entrances of the streets around the quadrangle, the flames
from the bonfire glinting on their bronze helmets and on their shields
of varied shapes, round, rectangular, and oval. Actaeon also saw Sonnica
make her way through the crowd and seat herself near the group formed by
the elegant young gallants who admired her.

Alorcus continued speaking:

"You know me well.