"What! In your house, violence is attempted upon an old man! Upon a relative who comes to you unsuspecting--" "I shall respect that which is considered sacred in all countries--hospitality," answered the Mother of the Camps. "You came to me freely, you shall go out freely." "Sister!" I cried. "Be careful! Your confidence has proved fatal once before--" Victoria interrupted me with a gesture, and said bitterly: "You are right--my confidence has been fatal to the country; it weighs upon my heart with remorse--but fear not this time." Saying this she rang the bell. Mora entered almost immediately. Her mistress whispered a few words in her ear and the servant quickly went out again. "Tetrik," Victoria proceeded, "I have sent for Captain Paul and several officers. They will come here for you. They will accompany you to your lodging--you shall not leave the place but to appear before your judges." "My judges! Who are to be my judges?" "The army will appoint a tribunal--that tribunal will judge you." "I can be tried only by the senate." "If the military tribunal finds you guilty, you will then be sent before the senate; if the military tribunal acquits you, you will be free. Only divine vengeance will then be able to reach you." Mora re-entered the room to inform her mistress that her orders were issued to Captain Paul. Afterwards I remembered, but, alas! too late, that Mora exchanged a few words in a low voice with Tetrik who sat near the door. "Schanvoch," Victoria said to me, "did you hear well the conversation that I had with Tetrik?" "Perfectly. I lost not one word." "Transcribe it faithfully." And turning to the Chief of Gaul she said: "That will be the indictment that I shall bring against you. It shall be read before the military tribunal that is to sit in judgment upon you." "Victoria," Tetrik replied calmly, "listen to the advice of an old man, who once was and still is your best friend. It is an easy thing to accuse a man, but to prove his crime is a more difficult affair--" "Hold your tongue, detestable hypocrite!" cried Victoria angrily. "Drive me not to extremes--" And clasping her hands: "Hesus! Give me the strength to be equitable towards this man. Calm down in me, Oh, Hesus! the ebullitions of anger that might unsettle my judgment!" Having heard steps behind the door, Mora opened it, and returned to her mistress, saying: "Captain Paul has arrived." Victoria made a sign to Tetrik to leave the room. He stepped out heaving a profound sigh and saying in penetrating accents: "Lord! Lord! Dissipate the blindness of my enemies! Pardon them, as I pardon them!" CHAPTER VII. THE VISION OF VICTORIA. When the room was cleared of the presence of Tetrik the Mother of the Camps said to her servant, just as the latter was about to leave close upon the heels of Tetrik: "Mora, my breast is afire. Bring me a cup of water with some honey, to cool me and slake my thirst."