ou to the house of Calavius."

Ligurius had recovered sufficiently to remount his horse, while Mago's
attendants had laid the still senseless Caipor in the rheda to which
their master now assisted Marcia. Then he rode on, by the wheel of the
carriage.

As for the daughter of Torquatus, not even the consciousness of her
purpose, and of the high and bitter motives that had shaped it, could
drive the touch of shame from her cheeks. It galled her when she
considered how she must appear to this man--a mere youth and a
Carthaginian, and it galled her the more that she should care for his
opinion. That she had inspired only his contempt, was quite evident;
and she, whose glances had always gone straight as the arrows of Love
to the hearts of men, now found herself more annoyed by the
indifference of an enemy than she had been by the dangers from which he
had rescued her. She was not certain whether it was with a desire to
gain in his sight, or only in the pursuance of her plans, that she
spoke again.

"Does my lord think worse of me for what I have said?"

"I thought you a woman; now I know you for one," he replied, carelessly.

"Ah! but my lord did not ask as to my other reasons for seeking the
camp of Carthage."

"That is a matter for Calavius to look to. If you come as an enemy--so
much the worse for him."

"And if I come as a woman who would escape a hated marriage--to seek a
lover who has won her heart afar off?--"

"Calavius?" laughed Mago, the boy in him suddenly flashing out. "They
say even the old men here are hunters of women. Have a care of the
Claudian, though. She may bite."

Marcia flushed crimson. Mago was not an easy subject for female
influence. Besides, she began to realize that the respect she could
not help feeling for the attitude of the young soldier might hamper
whatever efforts she could put forth to ensnare and control him. His
closeness to Hannibal, however, would make his conquest as advantageous
as it seemed difficult, and it was some such thought as this that
prompted her next words.

"Happy the leader and brother that has so single and so firm a
counsellor!"

She spoke as if half unconsciously, but Mago shot a sharp glance
straight into her eyes. Then he answered, carelessly:--

"My brother is the captain-general of Carthage, and I am only a young
soldier. Doubtless he is wise to ignore my opinions; and yet, had he
harkened to Maharbal and myself at the close of the da