'It is better I should tell you,' continued her brother, with some
sternness, resulting from the efforts to command himself, 'that
Basil is gone to Cumae to see Aurelia, and, if it may be, to lead
her to me. Perhaps even now'--he pointed to the sea--'they are
on the way hither. Let us not speak of it, Petronilla,' he added in
a firmer tone. 'It is my will; that must suffice. Of you I ask
nothing save silence.'
The lady arose. Her countenance expressed angry and bitter feeling,
but there was no danger of her uttering what she thought. Gravely,
somewhat coldly, she spoke good wishes for her brother's ease during
the day, and so retired with her retinue. Alone, Maximus sighed, and
looked again across the waters.
In a few minutes the servant who guarded his privacy was again heard
announcing the lord Decius. The Senator turned his eyes with a look
of good-humoured greeting.
'Abroad so early, good cousin? Did the oil fail you last night and
send you too soon to bed?'
'You have not chanced to remember, dear my lord, what day it is?'
returned Decius, when he had bestowed a kiss on his kinsman's cheek.
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