our radiant eyes betray. But," he
added, slowly and searchingly, "know this. He will no longer separate
us. You can become mine without breaking faith with him, for--" he
clasped her hand.

"What is it? What has happened to him? Speak!"

"He is dead."

"Oh!" shrieked Bissula, and, before Ausonius could stop her, she had
wrenched herself from his hold, sprung on the thwart of the boat and,
clasping her hands above her head with a gesture of silent anguish,
flung herself forward toward the water.

A strong arm caught her; it was Rignomer's.

"Stay, hot-hearted child!" he exclaimed kindly. But the girl struggled
furiously in his grasp, she was resolved to plunge into the deep lake;
the light boat rocked dangerously.

"Calm yourself," said Ausonius gravely and sorrowfully. "He lives."

"Oh, how cruelly you have played with me," cried the girl. The Batavian
now drew her gently down upon the thwart, and she burst into a flood of
tears; but they were tears of joy.

"It was no play, only a test. I see with grief that you really love the
fair-haired boy so fondly. If he had fallen, you would rather have
followed him to death than lived as my wife in splendor and happiness?
O Bissula, this is hard!"

"Father! Dear Father! Don't be angry. I cannot help it. But is it
certain? Does he live?"

"Yes. You cannot help it! That is true; I see it now. Be comforted. He
is alive. I saw him carried off the field by his followers. Saturninus
and he exchanged blows."

"Yes. Be calm, little one," the Tribune interposed good humoredly. "His
stroke was really no harder than mine. I am still alive, so he will
doubtless live too."

"Oh, Ausonius!" pleaded Bissula, raising both hands beseechingly. But
he did not let her finish the sentence. Passing his hand across his
eyes he murmured unheard by the others: "It is over. This hour has made
me an old man." Then he asked: "Where do you wish to be put on shore?
Opposite to Suomar's forest hut?"

"Thank you, my warmest thanks! But not there, farther to the left from
here; yonder under the willows, where a nobleman's hall stands on the
height."

"His!" exclaimed Ausonius.

"Which you saved for him," added Saturninus. "All very beautiful and
noble--almost touching!" the Tribune continued, trying to seem unmoved,
yet at the same time kindly stroking the hand of the young girl, in
whose eyes the dancing light of joy mingled with tears like May rain.
"Only I will not permit the Prefect Pr