His kingdom of the world below:
The crown He wore was of the pointed thorn
In purple He was crucified, not born.
They who contend for place and high degree
Are not His sons, but those of Zebedee."
--DRYDEN.

The exalted state of mind which the victorious men had brought home with
them did not vanish with sleep. The same heroic atmosphere was in the
house in the morning. Antonia's face had a brightness upon it that never
yet was the result of mere flesh and blood. When she came into the usual
sitting-room, Dare was already there; indeed, he had risen purposely for
this hour. Their smiles and glances met each other with an instantaneous
understanding. It was the old Greek greeting "REJOICE!" without the
audible expression.

Never again, perhaps, in all their lives would moments so full of
sweetness and splendor come to them. They were all the sweeter because
blended with the homely duties that fell to Antonia's hands. As she went
about ordering the breakfast, and giving to the table a festal air, Dare
thought of the old Homeric heroes, and the daughters of the kings who
ministered to their wants. The bravest of them had done no greater deeds
of personal valor than had been done by the little band of American
pioneers and hunters with whom he had fought the last four days. The
princes among them had been welcomed by no sweeter and fairer women than
had welcomed his companions and himself.

And, though his clothing was black with the smoke of the battle and torn
with the fray, never had Dare himself looked so handsome. There was an
unspeakable radiance in his fair face. The close, brown curls of his
hair; his tall figure, supple and strong; his air of youth, and valor,
and victory; the love-light in his eyes; the hopes in his heart, made
him for the time really more than a mere mortal man. He walked like
the demi-gods he was thinking of. The most glorious ideal of life, the
brightest dream of love that he had ever had, found in this hour their
complete realization.

The Senora did not come down; but Isabel and Luis and the doctor joined
the breakfast party. Luis had evidently been to see Lopez Navarro before
he did so; for he wore a new suit of dark blue velvet and silver, a
sash of crimson silk, the neatest of patent leather shoes, and the most
beautifully embroidered linen. Dare gave him a little smile and nod of
approbation. He had not thought of f