"No. I know not where we are going. My father had a powerful ally whom I dare not name to you, and this ally calls me without saying why. The whole tribe displays tremendous enthusiasm for this expedition."
After a pause Alorcus added:
"You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. My sisters will obey you as if you were Alorcus himself."
"No; since you will not be here, nothing remains for me to do. I have seen enough in one day to know the Celtiberians. I will return to Saguntum."
"Happy man, who can return to the Grecian life, to Sónnica's banquets, to the sweet peace of those merchants! May it never be disturbed, and may I be able to return there as a friend!"
The two preserved a long silence, as if black thoughts were whirling through their minds.
"You will return from this expedition loaded down with riches," said the Greek, "and you will come back to Saguntum to spend them joyously."
"May it be thus!" murmured Alorcus. "But I feel a presentiment that we shall never meet again, Actæon; or, if we meet, it will be to curse the gods that we should ever have known each other. I go ignorant of my destination, and perhaps I must march against what I most love."
They said no more; they feared to give expression to their thoughts.
Greek and Celtiberian embraced tenderly. Then, after a sorrowful farewell, they kissed each other on the eyes in sign of fraternal friendship.