"See, he has hidden the viper in his bosom. Take it from him!"
"Kill him!" screamed the others.
But now a number of soldiers came up, and procured respect for their Queen, pushing back the Italians, and forming a circle round the wounded man.
Aspa looked at the latter attentively, and suddenly cast herself down beside him, crossing her arms on her bosom.
"What is the matter, Aspa? Rise!" said her mistress, much astonished.
"Oh, mistress!" stammered Aspa, "the man is no Gaul! He is one of my people. He prays to the Snake-God. Look at his brown skin--as brown as Aspa's! And here--here is writing; letters are tattooed upon his breast; the sacred hieroglyphics of my country!" she cried with delight.
And, pointing with her finger, she began to read.
"Why this disguise?" asked Mataswintha. "It is suspicious. He must be arrested."
"No, no, mistress," whispered Aspa; "dost thou know what these letters mean? No other eye than mine can decipher them for thee."
"Well?" asked Mataswintha.