Tears came into his eyes as he avowed the truth and
entreated pardon.
'It was only because misery has made me all but mad. Nay, I _knew_
that she lied, but I could not rest till I had the assurance of it
from your own lips. You think, then, dearest Marcian, that Veranilda
is lost to me for ever? You believe it is true that she is already
on the way to Constantinople?'
Marcian hoped it with all his heart, for with the disappearance of
Veranilda this strange, evil jealousy of his would fade away; and he
had many reasons for thinking that the loss of his Gothic love would
be the best thing that could happen to Basil. At the same time, he
felt his friend's suffering, and could not bring himself to inflict
another wound.
'If so,' he replied, 'the Greek has less confidence in me than I
thought, and I must take it as a warning. It may be. On the other
hand, there is the possibility that Petronilla's effrontery outwits
us all. Of course she has done her best to ruin both of us, and
perhaps is still trying to persuade Bessas that you keep Veranilda
in hiding, whilst I act as your accomplice.
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