Brunilda received Malchus cordially, saying that she had often heard of him in the messages sent by her husband.
"He has come to stop the winter with us," Allobrigius said.

"I promised him a warm welcome, and he needs rest and quiet, as do we all, for it has been hard work even to seasoned men like us.

What with snow and rain I have scarcely been dry since I left you." "That would not matter to the young Carthaginian lord," the eldest girl said with a smile; "we know that he rather likes getting wet, don't we, Clotilde ?" she said, turning to her sister, who was, contrary to her usual custom, standing shyly behind her.
"I am afraid I shall never hear the last of that," Malchus laughed; "I can only say that I meant well." "Of course you did," Allobrigius said; "you could not know that our Gaulish maidens could swim and march, and, if necessary, fight as stoutly as the men.

The Romans before now have learned that, in the absence of the men from the camp, the women of Gaul can fight desperately for country, and home, and honour.

Do not let yourself be troubled by what these wild girls say, my lord Malchus; you know our Gaulish women are free of tongue, and hold not their men in such awe and deference as is the custom among other nations." "I am accustomed to be laughed at," Malchus said smiling; "I have two sisters at home, and, whatever respect women may pay to their lords in Carthage, I suppose that neither there nor anywhere else have girls respect for their brothers." The music at this moment struck up, the harpers began a song which they had composed in honour of the occasion, the tribesmen fell into their ranks again, and Allobrigius placed himself at their head.