Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/303

292 hands, and knew the indignity that approached him, the mute calm of his endurance, the apathy of that desolation of the heart in which all bodily suffering passes as nought, changed and broke. All the fíre of his nature, all the pride of his race, all the dignity of his manhood, flashed to sudden life. He never spoke—he was bound, motionless—but he raised his head and looked them full in the eyes with all the haughty wrath of his fearless blood once more aflame. It was but one look; his aim could not avenge him, nor his strength resist the outrage; yet before it they paused and quailed. For the instant they stood irresolute, cowed by the challenge of that unshrinking leonine regard; then, savage at their own sense of shame, they threw themselves forward, the metal-weighted thongs swirled round their heads, gathering full force to curl around him like a serpent's folds; the watching soldiery drew deep noiseless breaths in silence, the hot hushed air of noon had not a sound upon it; he stood erect to his full height, the courage of the soul victorious over the torture of the body. Before the uplifted hands could fall, a single word echoed down through the stillness—"Wait!"

The scourgers paused; the chief swung round to see who dared bid his men's obedience halt. Into their startled crowd came the woman they sought.