Ch. 17 - The Huns - Page 2

above described was one of those contemptuously favoured by
promotion to an inferior command, under Hermanric, as a Gothic chief.

An expression of aversion, but not of terror, passed over Goisvintha's
worn features as she approached the barbarian, and repeated her desire
to be conducted to Hermanric's presence. For the second time, however,
the man gave her no answer. He burst into a shrill, short laugh, and
shook his huge shoulders in clumsy derision.

The woman's cheek reddened for an instant, and then turned again to
livid paleness as she thus resumed--

'I came not hither to be mocked by a barbarian, but to be welcomed by a
Goth! Again I ask you, where is my kinsman, Hermanric?'

'Gone!' cried the Hun. And his laughter grew more wild and discordant
as he spoke.

A sudden tremor ran through Goisvintha's frame as she marked the manner
of the barbarian and heard his reply. Repressing with difficulty her
anger and agitation, she continued, with apprehension in her eyes and
entreaty in her tones--

'Whither has he gone? Wherefore has he departed? I know that the hour
I appointed for our meeting here has long passed; but I have suffered a
sickness of many weeks, and when, at evening, I prepared to set forth,
my banished infirmities seemed suddenly to return to me again. I was
borne to my bed. But, though the woman who succoured me bid me remain
and repose, I found strength in the night to escape them, and through
storm and darkness to come hither alone--for I was determined, though I
should perish for it, to seek the presence of Hermanric, as I had
promised by my messengers. You, that are the companion of his watch,
must know whither he is gone. Go to him, and tell him what I have
spoken. I will await his return!'

'His business is secret,' sneered the Hun. 'He has departed, but
without telling me whither. How should I, that am a barbarian, know the
whereabouts of an illustrious Goth? It is not for me to know his
actions, but to obey his words!'

'Jeer not about your obedience,' returned Goisvintha with breathless
eagerness. 'I say to you again, you know whither he is gone, and you
must tell me for what he has departed. You obey him--there is money to
make you obey me!'

'When I said his business was secret, I lied not,' said the Hun, picking
up with avidity the coins she flung to him--'but he has not kept it
secret from me! The Huns are cunning! Aha, ugly and cunning!'

Suspicion, the only refined emotion in a criminal heart, half discovered
to Goisvintha, at this moment, the intelligence that was yet to be
communicated. No word, however, escaped her, while she signed the
barbarian to proceed.

'He has gone to a farm-house on the plains beyond the