Hilda saw that Eugenia stretched her delicate neck forward several times to obtain a glimpse of the courtyard. But she did not succeed; her seat was too far back from the window; and when at another attempt she perceived that her effort had been noticed, she crimsoned with alarm and shame far more deeply than Hilda had just done from pleasure. "You have finished the lower hem," said Hilda, kindly. "Push another cushion on the stool. You must sit higher now, on account of the work." The young Greek eagerly obeyed, and a stolen glance flew swiftly down into the courtyard. But her lashes drooped sorrowfully, and she drew her gold-threaded needle still faster through the red cloth. "New hundreds will soon arrive," remarked Hilda, "and then other commanders will come into the courtyard." Eugenia made no reply, but her face brightened. "You have been so diligent that we shall soon finish," Hilda went on. "The setting sun will see Genseric's old banner floating again in restored beauty from the palace roof." "The golden dragon is nearly mended, only one wing and the claws--" "They probably grew dull during the long years of peace, when the banner lay idle in the arsenal." "There were frequent battles with the Moors." "Yes, but Genseric's old battle-standard was not shaken from its proud dreams on account of those little skirmishes. Only small bodies of mounted troops rode forth, and the majestic signal of war was not unfurled on the palace. But now that the kingdom is threatened, Gelimer has commanded that, according to ancient custom, the great banner should be unfurled on the roof. My Gibamund brought it to me to replace the worn embroidery with fresh gold." "We should have finished it before, if you had not placed those strange little signs half hidden along the hem--" "Hush," whispered Hilda, smiling, "he must not know it." "Who?" "Why, the pious King. Alas, we shall never understand and agree with each other!" "Why must he know nothing about it?" "They are the ancient runes of victory of our people. My ancestor Hildebrand taught them to me. And who can tell whether they may not help?" As she spoke, she passed her hand over her work with a tender, caressing motion, humming softly,--