Bissula's. Now he saw Rignomer, the Batavian sentry, with
lowered spear forcing back the slowly retreating girl. The man spoke
half in German, half in vulgar Latin; for at that time the Batavians
and Alemanni, though both Germans, found it as hard to understand one
another as the sailors of the Lower Rhine and the peasants of Lake
Constance do at the present day.

"Back, you red elf, you beautiful Idise, you nymph, and never try it
again! It would be a pity to hurt yourself. The wall is too high and
the ditch too deep--" Then the soldier recognized the Prefect, saluted
him, and went back to the top of the wall.

Bissula, noticing the respectful salute, had turned and, still
violently agitated, rushed to Ausonius, exclaiming: "Father, set me
free at once! at once!"

Ausonius shook his head. "Consider--"

"If you really catch defenceless girls and threaten to kill them by the
sword, you glorious Romans, as your nephew--"

"When did he do that?"

"Never mind! Send me with a safe escort, with a letter from you beyond
your outposts."

"Where shall I send you?"

Bissula remained silent a short time. Her face was deeply flushed.

"Where? To the place where you always gaze in your reveries? Out
yonder?"

"No," she replied, setting her teeth; "eastward, to my home. Then I
will take care of myself."

"Child, you must stay till the war is over."

"No, I must go," she answered. "I belong to my people, not to you. It is
not right, it is abominable, for me to sleep safe here in your
protection, drink Roman wine from golden goblets, while my kindred are
suffering want and danger. Let me go!" She raised her hand. The gesture
was meant to be an entreaty, but it resembled a threat.

"Cease this folly, little one," Ausonius now said, more seriously. "My
nephew's idle, unseemly words offended you; I reproved him for them; he
will beg your pardon,"--Bissula made a contemptuous movement,--"and
everything will be forgotten."

"Shall I forget my people?"

"Forget? No; but gradually become alienated from them. You look amazed.
Well, let this trivial incident hasten the important disclosure I have
to make. Are you thinking of leaving me? Give it up, sweet girl!" He
controlled himself and went on more calmly: "My little daughter, you
will never leave me again."

Bissula opened her eyes in the utmost astonishment, gazing at the Roman
with the expression of a captured deer. The iron tramp of a marching
cohort was heard close a