Word by word, he passed over in his mind her varied, natural, and happy turns of expression; recalling, as he was thus employed, the eloquent looks, the rapid gesticulations, the changing tones which had accompanied those words, and thinking how wide was the difference between this young daughter of Rome, and the cold and taciturn women of his own nation.

The very mystery enveloping her story, which would have excited the suspicion or contempt of more civilised men, aroused in him no other emotions than those of wonder and compassion.

No feelings of a lower nature than these entered his heart towards the girl.

She was safe under the protection of the enemy and the barbarian, after having been lost through the interference of the Roman and the senator.
To the simple perceptions of the Goth, the discovery of so much intelligence united to such extreme youth, of so much beauty doomed to such utter loneliness, was the discovery of an apparition that dazzled, and not of a woman who charmed him.

He could not even have touched the hand of the helpless creature, who now reposed under his tent, unless she had extended it to him of her own accord.