Was it only
a fishing boat? Raised upon the couch, he gazed long and fixedly.
Impossible as yet to be sure whether he saw the expected bark; but
the sail seemed to draw nearer, and he watched.
The voice of a servant, who stood at a respectful distance,
announced: 'The gracious Lady'; and there appeared a little
procession. Ushered by her eunuch, and attended by half a dozen
maidens, one of whom held over her a silk sunshade with a handle of
gold, the sister of Maximus approached at a stately pace. She was
tall, and of features severely regular; her dark hair--richer in
tone and more abundant than her years could warrant--rose in
elaborate braiding intermingled with golden threads; her waistless
robe was of white silk adorned with narrow stripes of purple, which
descended, two on each side, from the shoulders to the hem, and
about her neck lay a shawl of delicate tissue. In her hand, which
glistened with many gems, she carried a small volume, richly bound,
the Psalter. Courtesies of the gravest passed between her and
Maximus, who, though he could not rise from his couch, assumed an
attitude of graceful deference, and Petronilla seated herself in a
chair which a slave had placed for her.
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