And in the rear
came the rabble of Surrentines, encouraged to return by this arrival
of armed authority.
'That is Chorsoman,' said Marcian, as soon as he could distinguish
the captain's feature, 'the commander at Cumae.'
'Then it is not to Cumae that they have carried her!' exclaimed
Basil, surmising at once that the Hun was come in pursuit of
Veranilda.
'Time enough to think of that,' growled Venantius, as he glared from
under black brows at the advancing horsemen. 'What are we to do? To
resist is war, and this villa cannot be held for an hour. Yet to
yield is most likely to be made prisoners. Marcian!'
Marcian was watching and listening with a look of anxious thought.
Appealed to for his counsel, he spoke decidedly.
'Withdraw your men and go down. Resistance is impossible. Chorsoman
must enter, but trust me to manage him. I answer for your liberty.'
Venantius led his men down to the inner court. Basil, careless of
everything but the thought that Veranilda was being borne far from
him, he knew not whither, went to get horses ready, that he might
pursue Petronilla as soon as the road was free.
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