Hamilcar, who was unable to speak, nodded her his thanks.His eyes were directed alternately upon the zaimph and upon her, and he noticed that her chainlet was broken.Then he shivered, being seized with a terrible suspicion.But soon recovering his impassibility he looked sideways at Narr' Havas without turning his face.
The king of the Numidians held himself apart in a discreet attitude;on his forehead he bore a little of the dust which he had touched when prostrating himself.At last the Suffet advanced towards him with a look full of gravity.
"As a reward for the services which you have rendered me, Narr' Havas, I give you my daughter.Be my son," he added, "and defend your father!"Narr' Havas gave a great gesture of surprise; then he threw himself upon Hamilcar's hands and covered them with kisses.
Salammbo, calm as a statue, did not seem to understand.She blushed a little as she cast down her eyelids, and her long curved lashes made shadows upon her cheeks.
Hamilcar wished to unite them immediately in indissoluble betrothal.Alance was placed in Salammbo's hands and by her offered to Narr'
Havas; their thumbs were tied together with a thong of ox-leather;then corn was poured upon their heads, and the grains that fell around them rang like rebounding hail.