better, or at least
quicker, to unbar the door before it should be broken in: she was
wondering, in fact, at the forbearance that had preserved it thus far
from more violent assault. Calavius had been gone some time.
Doubtless he had escaped or, recognizing the uselessness of his
attempt, was hiding somewhere, and, in either event, nothing would be
lost by judicious parleying.

Arranging her robe, she walked slowly through the hall, slid back the
bolts one by one, and let the door swing out into the street; then she
stood, dazed and frightened, for the sight that met her eyes was
Hannibal himself reclining in a litter borne by four Nubians. The
curtains were thrown back, and he was leaning out, evidently giving
some directions to the attendants whose summons had thus far failed to
obtain an answer. Beside the litter stood the priest, Iddilcar, with
folded arms and look bent upon the ground. Around them were ranged a
strong guard of Africans, and, back through the streets, as far as she
could see, the Capuan rabble were thronging forward, curious or
bloodthirsty.

All this was visible in a moment, and then the general, attracted by
the creaking of the door and the exclamation of the crowd, looked up
and saw Marcia standing upon the threshold.

The litter was set down at an imperceptible signal, and he stepped out,
robed in a loose gown of black, entirely without ornaments, and with
hair and beard uncombed and sprinkled lightly with ashes. Marcia
stared in wonder. Surely this could not be the Carthaginian method of
announcing judgment or execution! She caught a flash of subtle
lightning from the eyes of Iddilcar, though these had not seemed to
neglect for a moment their close scrutiny of the pavement. Then
Hannibal stood before her, bowing low and speaking in suppressed
tones:--

"The gods be with you and dwell within this house! I have come to look
upon the face of my father, and, if may be, to console him. Praise be
to Tanis for the omen that you have opened to us, rather than one whose
servile duty it was. So shall our entrance be free and our going
joyful."

He had cast a rapid glance around, as he spoke, and Marcia knew that he
divined why the service of tending the door had been left to her--a
free woman and a guest; yet he was pleased to ignore all inferences,
and to attribute her act to some divine will. His words, too, were
more than friendly, and, if they covered no snare of Punic faith,
augu