'I saw her, though with difficulty. She kept
me waiting like an importunate poor kinsman, and when I was
received, she sat like the Empress giving audience. I did not touch
the earth with my forehead; nay, I stood looking at her with a look
she did not easily bear. That she is guilty, I am sure; I read
triumph in her eyes as soon as I spoke of Aurelia. That she would
deny all knowledge of the affair was only to be expected. Moreover,
she has taken possession of the great house yonder, and declares
that Aurelia, as a heretic, can claim nothing under her father's
will. You, of course, the heir, can expel her, if you think it worth
the trouble. But let us see the result of her conversation with
Bessas. She smiled disdainfully when I mentioned his name, and tried
to continue smiling when I carelessly explained the interest he had
in finding Veranilda; but she was frightened, I heard it in her
hoarse voice when she began to speak evil of Veranilda.'
'What!' cried Basil. 'Evil of Veranilda!'
'Such as naturally comes to the tongue of an angry woman.'
The lover raged, Marcian listening with a sad, half-absent look.
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