They drew back.
Hamilcar had ceased speaking, and was panting with eye fixed, his face as pale as the pearls of his tiara, almost frightened at himself, and his spirit lost in funereal visions.

From the height on which he stood, all the torches on the bronze shafts seemed to him like a vast crown of fire laid level with the pavement; black smoke issuing from them mounted up into the darkness of the vault; and for some minutes the silence was so profound that they could hear in the distance the sound of the sea.
Then the Ancients began to question one another.

Their interests, their existence, were attacked by the Barbarians.

But it was impossible to conquer them without the assistance of the Suffet, and in spite of their pride this consideration made them forget every other.

His friends were taken aside.