But Aurelia and her companion took their meals apart.
This evening, Basil and Decius supped almost in silence, each busy
with his reflections. They lingered over the wine, their attendants
having left them, until Decius, as if rousing himself from a dream,
asked how long it was likely to be before the ship could sail. Basil
answered that the leaden coffin would be ready within a few days (it
was being made at Neapolis, out of water-pipes which had served a
villa in ruins), and after that there would only be delay through
wind and weather.
'Are you greatly bent on going to Rome just now?' was the student's
next inquiry, a twinkle in his eyes as he spoke.
'By Bacchus!' answered the other, handling his goblet. 'If I saw my
way to avoid it!'
'I guessed as much. The suspicion came to me at a certain moment
this morning--a mere grain, which ever since has been growing
_tanquam favus_. I am not wont to consider myself as of much use,
but is it not just possible that, in this case, your humble kinsman
might serve you?'
'My good, my excellent, my very dear Decius!' broke from the
listener.
Pages:
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126