" said Hilda; "how easily, alone, he might have failed in
his purpose!"

"God enlightened and sent him."

"And did you--did he never tell others?"

Gelimer shook his noble head gravely. "The miracles of God are not to
be the subject of idle talk. I earnestly besought his forgiveness that,
formerly, I had almost distrusted him. He generously pardoned me.
'True, I felt it,' he said. 'It grieved me. Now atone by trusting me
fully. For in truth you are right. God really did send me to you; I
_am_ your fate, I am the tool in God's hand that watches over your life
and guides it to its predestined goal. I saw you--as if in a dream,
though I was awake--lying helpless in the desert, and a secret voice
urged me on, saying: "Seek him. Thou shalt become his fate!" And I
could not rest until I had found you.'

"Now I have confided this to you that you may no longer wound me by
your doubts. No, Hilda, do not shake your head. No objection; I will
suffer none. How your distrust angers me! Has he not saved me a second
time? Do you want a third sign from God, unbeliever? I would not wish
to be incensed against you, so I will leave you. It is late. Believe,
trust, and keep silence." With a bearing of lofty dignity, he left the
room.

Hilda gazed after him thoughtfully. Then she shrugged her shoulders.
"Mere chance," she said, "and superstition! How can delusion ensnare
such a mind?"

"Such danger threatens just such minds. I rejoice that mine is less
exalted."

"And that your soul is healthy!" cried Hilda, starting from her reverie
with a gesture of relief, and throwing both arms around her beloved
husband.

CHAPTER XXIII

Early on the morning of the third day after the meeting in the great
hall of the palace, Hilda and her young charge, Eugenia, were sitting
together in one of the women's apartments, talking eagerly over the
work at which they were industriously toiling.

The narrow but lofty arched window afforded a view of the large square
courtyard of the palace. In which there was an active stir of military
preparation. In one portion of the wide space newly arrived Vandal
recruits were being divided into bands of tens and hundreds; in another
they were discharging arrows and hurling spears at targets made of
planks which, in height, width, and general appearance, resembled as
closely as possible Byzantine warriors in full defensive armor. A
special oval enclosure was reserved for the in