So they hastily re-entered the city, where thousands of heavy eyes were
strained to look on them, and thousands of attentive ears drank in their
joyful news from the Gothic camp. Then were heard in all directions the
sounds of hysterical weeping and idiotic laughter, the low groans of the
weak who died victims of their sudden transport, and the confused
outbursts of the strong who had survived all extremities, and at last
beheld their deliverance in view.
Still silent and serious, the ambassadors now slowly penetrated the
throng on their way back to the Forum; and as they proceeded the crowd
gradually dispersed on either side of them. Enemies, friends, and
strangers, all whom the ruthless famine had hitherto separated in
interests and sympathies, were now united together as one family, by the
expectation of speedy relief.
But there was one among the assembly that was now separating who stood
alone in her unrevealed emotions, amid the rejoicing thousands around
her. The women and children in the throng, as, preoccupied by their own
feeling, they unheedfully passed her by, saw not the eager, ferocious
attention in her eyes, as she watched them steadily till they were out
of sight.
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