Whilst
Basil, boiling with secret rage, saw his cousin's possessions turned
out on to the floor a thought flashed into his mind.
'I ought to inform your Sublimity,' he said, with all the
indifference he could assume, 'that the lady Aurelia despatched two
days ago a courier to Rome apprising the noble commandant Bessas of
her father's death, and of her intention to arrive in the city as
soon as possible, and to put her means at his disposal for the
defence of Rome against King Totila.'
Chorsoman stared.
'Is not this lady the widow of a Goth and a heretic?'
'The widow of a Goth, yes, but no longer a heretic,' answered Basil
boldly, half believing what he said.
He saw that he had spoken to some purpose. The Hun blinked his
little eyes, gazed greedily at the money, and was about to speak
when a soldier announced that a Roman named Marcian desired
immediate audience, therewith handing to the governor a piece of
metal which looked like a large coin. Chorsoman had no sooner
glanced at this than he bade admit the Roman; but immediately
changing his mind, he went out into another room.
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