'The lady Aurelia's name is not unknown to me,' said Venantius, when
Basil spoke of her at table. He would have added a remark, but
paused with a look at the attendant slaves. 'Her illustrious
father,' he went on, 'I spoke with when I was young. But for the
illness of Maximus I should have ventured hither during this year
gone by, notwithstanding some difference in our view of things; or
rather, to make sure whether there really was as much difference as
I supposed.'
'Perchance you would have found that there was not,' said Basil.
'Certainly not towards the end.'
'May his soul repose! He had the bearing which suited with his noble
name--a true Anicius to look upon. If Rome have need in these
times of another breed of citizens--and who can gainsay that?--
she will not forget such men as he, who lived with dignity when they
could do no more. You, my dear lord'--he turned towards Basil--
'Anicius though you are, see another way before you, what?'
They talked far into the night. When he spoke of the Imperial
conquerors--'Greeklings' he called them--Venantius gave vent to
his wrath and scorn.
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