Did he still take the infusion of marjoram which
she had prescribed for him? A holy man, newly returned from the
East, had deigned to visit her only yesterday, and had given her a
small phial of water from Rebekah's well; it was of priceless
virtue, and one drop of it had last evening restored to health and
strength a child that lay at the point of death.
In the afternoon Basil was again permitted to see Veranilda, though
not alone. To her and to Aurelia he made known that Decius would
willingly undertake the voyage. After lingering for an hour in the
vain hope that Aurelia would withdraw, were it but for a moment, he
went away and scratched ardent words on his tablet. 'I will be in
your garden,' he concluded, 'just at sunrise to-morrow. Try, try to
meet me there.'
Scarcely had he despatched a servant with this when Felix announced
to him the arrival of Marcian. On fire with eagerness, Basil sped to
greet his friend.
'Give me to drink,' were the traveller's first words. 'I have ridden
since before dawn, and have a tongue like leather.'
Wine and grapes, with other refreshments, were set forth for him.
Pages:
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129