'My lord,' said the man, 'there is one at the gate of the villa who
brings I know not what news for you.'
'One at the gate? News?' echoed Basil, his heart sinking with dread
anticipation. 'What mean you, fellow?'
'Most noble, I know nothing,' stammered the frightened slave 'I
beseech your greatness to inquire. They say--I know not what--'
Basil sped across the garden and into Aurelia's dwelling. Here he
found a group of servants talking excitedly together; at view of
him, they fell back as if fear-stricken. From one, Aurelia's old
nurse, rose a wail of distress; upon her Basil rushed, grasped her
by the arm, and sternly demanded what had happened. Dropping to her
knees with a shrill cry, the woman declared that Aurelia had
vanished, that some one from the city had seen her carried away
before dawn.
'Alone?' asked Basil in a terrible voice.
'Lord, I know not,' wailed the woman, grovelling at his feet.
'Is Veranilda in her chamber?' he asked violently.
'Gone!' replied a faint voice from amid the group of servants.
'Where is this messenger?'
Without waiting for a reply, he sprang forward.
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