'
'Seek some word, O Decius, to utter more than that. I have suffered
worse than many deaths.'
'My best, my dearest Basil!' murmured the other tenderly. 'You have
lost her?'
'Lost her? yes; but not as you mean it. Is Petronilla in Rome?'
'She arrived the day before yesterday, two hours after sunset.'
'And you have seen her, talked with her?'
'I was at the house yonder when she came.'
'And she behaved ill to you?' asked Basil.
'Far from that, Petronilla overwhelmed me with affection and
courtesy. I knew not,' proceeded Decius smiling, 'how I had all at
once merited such attention. I came away merely because this
situation better suits my health. Down by the river I have never
been at ease. But let me hear what has befallen you.'
Basil told his story, beginning with the explanation of Veranilda's
importance in the eyes of the Greek commander. After learning from
the Hun that nothing was known of the lost ladies at Cumae, he had
impatiently lingered for three days in the castle of Venantius, on
the chance that Marcian might be able to test the truth of
Chorsoman's report; but his friend made no discovery, and in despair
he set out for Rome.
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