g loudly but with some
constraint, he tossed off to his host a cup of the wine last brought.

And now Hannibal seemed to shake himself loose from the bonds of
silence and thought, though his conversation still showed the trend of
his mind. He turned to Calavius.

"Thirty thousand foot and four thousand horse form an excellent array,
and yet I should imagine that the second city in Italy could do even
better--in case of need."

The attention of hosts and guests became tense at once, though Marcia
could note that the motives were diverse.

Calavius seemed nervous and flustered.

"There was a time when that was undoubtedly so, my Lord," he said
hastily; "but, now, many of our young men have fallen in the wars, and
many are serving with the enemy, unable to escape and doubtless in
serious danger--"

"Three hundred horsemen," interrupted Hannibal, dryly, "and my spies
inform me that they are likely to continue serving Rome--by choice, as
would doubtless many of your well-born at home--like this fellow,
Magius," and his brow darkened ominously.

The Campanians moved uneasily on the couches.

"Magius is a traitor and will be dealt with in due season," said
Stenius. "It is friends and festivities first with us, and enemies and
punishments later."

"Yes, Magius shall be dealt with," echoed Hannibal; but the
acquiescence brought no relief to his hearers. Why should he feel it
necessary to supplement their assurance so significantly? Did not the
treaty between Carthage and Capua provide that Capuan laws and
magistrates should still govern all Capuans? Why should he speak so
markedly of their military power? Did not the treaty expressly state
that no Capuan was to be called upon for military duty except by his
own rulers?

Calavius had been signalling vigorously to his son, Perolla, who had
reclined silent and gloomy, but who now seemed about to speak.
Disregarding his father's warning, the young man broke in:--

"It is idle to deny that the Campanian horse serve willingly with Rome
and will continue so to serve. As for Decius Magius, there are many
good men here who hold with him, but who lack his boldness."

For an instant every one held his breath in terror of the coming
outburst, but those whose angry or frightened eyes first ventured to
glance toward the captain-general saw his face wreathed in smiles, and
his wine cup raised toward the daring speaker.

"Happiness to you, flower of Campanian youth! and