Plainly, permission to depart must be sought of the
authorities, and such permission, under the circumstances, could
only be granted in return for substantial payment--a payment in
proportion t6 the lady's rank. It was known that the senator Maximus
had died, and report said that his daughter inherited great wealth.
The price of her passport would be one thousand gold pieces.
Basil knew that Aurelia had not, in the coffer she was taking away,
a quarter of this sum of money. He foresaw endless delay, infinite
peril to his hopes. Schooling a hot tongue to submissive utterance,
he asked that Aurelia might be consulted.
'Speak with her yourself,' said the Hun, 'and bring her answer.'
So Basil went forth, and, under the eyes of the guard, held converse
with his cousin. Aurelia was willing to give all the treasure she
carried with her--money, a few ornaments of gold and silver, two
or three vessels of precious metal--everything for immediate
liberty; all together she thought it might be the equivalent of half
the sum demanded. The rest she would swear to pay. This being
reported to Chorsoman, his hideous, ashen-grey countenance assumed a
fierce expression; he commanded that all the baggage on the vehicles
should be brought and opened before him; this was done.
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