Hermanric instantly raised the trembling girl from the ground, and supporting her by his arm, advanced to ascertain the cause of the disturbance.

He was confronted the next instant by an old warrior of superior rank, attached to the person of Alaric, who was followed by a small party of the ordinary soldiery of the camp.
'Among the women appointed by the king to the office of tending, for this night, those sick and wounded on the march, is Goisvintha, sister of Hermanric.

If she is here, let her approach and follow me;' said the chief of the party in authoritative tones, pausing at the door of the tent.
Goisvintha rose.

For an instant she stood irresolute.

To quit Hermanric at such a time as this, was a sacrifice that wrung her savage heart;--but she remembered the severity of Alaric's discipline, she saw the armed men awaiting her, and yielded after a struggle to the imperious necessity of obedience to the king's commands.