As soon as he could extricate himself from his comrades, Malchus joined her, and led her to Hannibal, who, hearing the unusual stir, was issuing from his apartment to see what had occasioned it.  The shouts of “Long live Malchus!” which rose from the soldiers informed him of what had happened, and he at once recognized his kinsman in the figure advancing to meet him.

“My dear Malchus,” he exclaimed, “this is a joyous surprise.  I have been in vain endeavouring to get you out of the hands of the Romans, but they were obstinate in refusing an exchange; but knowing your adroitness, I have never given up hopes of seeing you appear some day among us.  But whom have you here?” he asked as he re-entered his room accompanied by Malchus and his companion.

“This is Clotilde, daughter of Allobrigius, the chief of the Orcan tribe,” Malchus replied, “and my affianced wife.  Her father has been defeated and killed by Postumius, and she was carried as a slave to Rome.  There good fortune and the gods threw us together, and I have managed to bring her with me.”

“I remember you, of course,” Hannibal said to the girl, “and that I joked my young kinsman about you.  This is well, indeed; but we must see at once about providing you with proper garments.  There are no females in my palace, but I will send at once for Chalcus, who is now captain of my guard, and who has married here in Capua, and beg him to bring hither his wife; she will l am sure take charge of you, and furnish you with garments.”

Clotilde was soon handed over to the care of the Italian lady, and Malchus then proceeded to relate to Hannibal the various incidents which had occurred since he had sailed from Capua for Sardinia.  He learned in return that the mission of Mago to Carthage had been unsuccessful.  He had brought over a small reinforcement of cavalry and elephants, which had landed in Bruttium and had safely joined the army; but this only repaired a few of the many gaps made by the war, and was useless to enable Hannibal to carry out his great purpose.

“Hanno’s influence was too strong,” Hannibal said, “and I foresee that sooner or later the end must come.  I may hold out for years here in Southern Italy, but unless Carthage rises from her lethargy, I must finally be overpowered.”

“It seems to me,” Malchus said, “that the only hope is in rousing the Gauls to invade Italy from the north.”

“I know nothing of what is passing there,” Hannibal said; “but it is clear from the disaster which has befallen our friends the Orcans that the Romans are more than holding their own north of the Apennines.  Still, if a diversion could be made it would be useful.  I suppose you are desirous of taking your bride back to her tribe.”