The old woman's fingers closed round the gold, and her delight at getting so much money prevented her from feeling the contempt in the general's voice and eyes.
Presently the tiny hut was surrounded by Roman soldiers. Bending his tall form at the doorway, the general entered, followed by two soldiers leading between them the old woman, whose skinny fingers were tightly clutching the bag of gold.
Caradoc stirred in his sleep, then he sat up and looked at the Romans.
His eyes fell upon his mother-in-law; and he understood.
He had to stand up and submit to having his hands bound behind his back by the Roman soldiers.
The old woman left the hut and disappeared with her ill-gotten gains.
For once in her life she felt ashamed of herself.
She had betrayed her country, and although she was now one of the richest women in Britain she was never really happy again.
When the wounded chieftain joined the other prisoners in the Roman camp, his wife and daughter fell into his arms, weeping.
Caradoc tried his best to comfort them, and he begged all the prisoners to have courage, and to bear their misfortunes like brave men and women.