I looked forward
to a day when we might quit Cumae and live in freedom where we would.
Then something unforeseen befell. Half a year ago, just when the air
of spring began to breathe into that dark, chill house, a distant
kinsman of ours, who has long dwelt in Byzantium--do you know
Olybrius, the son of Probinus?'
'I have heard his name.'
'He came to me, as if from my father; but I soon discovered that he
had another mission, his main purpose being to seek for Veranilda.
By whom sent, I could not learn; but he told me that Ebrimut was
dead, and that his son, Veranilda's only brother, was winning glory
in the war with the Persians. For many days I lived in fear lest my
pearl should be torn from me. Olybrius it was, no doubt, who bade
the Hun keep watch upon us, and it can only have been by chance that
I was allowed to go forth unmolested when you led me hither the
first time. He returned to Byzantium, and I have heard no more. But
a suspicion haunts my mind. What if Marcian were also watching
Veranilda?'
'Marcian!' cried the listener incredulously. 'You do not know him.
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