And, as if in a dream, the woman had answered:
"By God, she is wonderfully lovely!"
"I thank thee, Mataswintha," said the King, in a friendly manner, when the rations for the day had been distributed.
The look, the tone, the words, penetrated her heart.
Never before had he called her by her name; he had ever met and spoken to her only as the "Queen."
How happy those few words from his mouth had made her; and yet how heavily his kindness weighed upon her guilty soul!
Evidently she had earned his more affectionate feeling by her active compassion for the poor.
"Oh, he is good!" she cried to herself, half weeping with emotion. "I also will be good!"
As, occupied by this thought, she entered the court of the left wing of the palace, which was assigned to her--the King inhabited the right wing--Aspa hurried to meet her.
"A messenger from the camp," she eagerly whispered. "He brings a secret message from the Prefect--a letter, in Syphax's handwriting--in our language. He waits for a reply."