his
ear.' I paused, and they were silent, wondering. Then I spoke on:
'Grant me, lords, three days, that I may journey to Cumae; for I have
heard that a woman dwells there, wise in the ways of the gods, and, if
I bear her rich presents, it may happen that she will teach me the
words that shall pierce this dull air, even to where Baal-Melkarth sits
enthroned in Mappalia, that he may grant all your wishes.' So I
crossed my arms upon my breast, and, bowing my head, listened. 'At
Cumae?' growled Jubellius Taurea, who sat near me, 'say, rather, at the
house of Pacuvius Calavius,' and I felt myself trembling, for then I
knew surely that I had heard Maharbal aright, and that I was suspected.
Still, I stood fast, and at last Hannibal spoke: 'Go to Cumae for three
days,' he said sternly. 'Take what you wish--one talent, two, three;
only bring back the words that shall win favour;' and Hasdrubal added:
'And harken! lord; if you win not favour, we shall yet march, and
peradventure you shall come with us--if they drive not the nails too
deep;' but there was an outcry at this, for they trembled lest Melkarth
should smite them, and Hasdrubal spoke again, grumbling: 'Ah, masters,
you have not seen soldiers as I have seen them, becoming bloated with
wine and food, and soft in the arms of courtesans;' but Hannibal
interrupted him, crying out to me again: 'Go!--go! There is little
time for the march, and it may be we are already too late. Go and do
all things so that the lord, Baal-Melkarth, shall favour us.' So I
went out, and, having taken their talents, I am here. This old sheep
has disgorged another talent together with gems. Therefore come now
and we shall escape hence."

Marcia saw a dimness before her, amid which his jewels and bracelets
and earrings seemed to mingle strange glancings with the fires that
burned in his eyes. At last she faltered:--

"But your work?--it is not finished. How shall I know?--if I go with
you?--"

The rings on his hand were sinking deep into her wrist; his lips were
close to her ear.

"Ah! you will not go? You will play with me--deceive me? Listen now.
To-morrow I shall be here with horses and money--in the morning--very
early--before light; and you will go like a little bird that is tamed.
These days will give us time to gain more, if more be needed. Look! I
have hazarded all. Shall I lose my reward now because my work be
unfinished by ever so little? It may be that, having gone,