hrasaric's side, but her feet faltered. She
sank forward fainting.

Soft arms received her. It was Hilda, the Valkyria who had just exulted
so eagerly in the thought of battle. Holding the light figure to her
bosom with her left arm, she extended her right hand as if to protect
her against Thrasaric, who in bewilderment wished to seize her.

"Back," she said sternly. "Back! Whatever it may be that has bowed this
lily's head, she shall first lift it again upon my breast and under my
protection. It was a wrong not easy to forgive to celebrate a wedding
with a Eugenia here in the Grove of Venus." A withering glance wandered
over Astarte, without resting upon her. "Thrasaric, decide for
yourself. Are you worthy to lead this bride home now, from this place?"

The giant's powerful figure trembled; his broad chest heaved; he panted
for breath, then, sighing deeply, he shook his head and buried it in
the folds of his cloak.

"Eugenia shall stay with me," said Hilda, gravely, pressing a kiss on
the pale brow of the reviving girl. Thrasaric cast one more glance at
her, then vanished in the throng.

Modigisel rushed angrily toward Astarte.

"Serpent!" he cried with no trace of lisping. "Fiend! What did you
whisper in the poor girl's ear?"

"The truth."

"No! He never really, seriously meant it. And the stallion has gone to
the devil; my game is over."

"Mine is not."

"But you shall not. I am ashamed of the base trick."

"I am not," she answered with a short laugh, gazing after Thrasaric.

"Obey, slave, or--"

He raised his arm for a blow. Again she threw back her beautiful head,
but now so violently that the magnificent black hair burst from the
gold fillets and fell over her rounded, dazzling shoulders; she closed
her eyes and this time actually gnashed her beautiful little white
teeth.

The Vandal dared not strike this threatening creature.

"Just wait till we reach home. There--"

"There we will make friends again," she answered, smiling, flashing a
side glance at him from her black eyes. It was open mockery. But a
feeling of horror stole over him, and he shuddered as if from fear.

"But grant me, my brother and my King, the joy of punishing this Goda,"
cried Zazo, who had long been struggling with his impatience, and could
no longer control himself. "The fleet is ready to sail; let me go. Give
me only five thousand picked men--"

"We Gundings will join you," cried Gundomar.

"And I will promise to for