With
Leander, Basil had succeeded in obtaining an interview, which was
altogether fruitless. The deacon would answer no question, and
contented himself with warning his visitor of the dangers incurred
by one who openly sought to defeat the will of the Emperor.
'Is it farewell?' asked Decius, stepping towards his kinsman, who
seemed about to leave the room.
'I will think.'
'Go speak with Gordian. He says that he can obtain you permission to
leave the city.'
'I doubt it,' replied Basil. 'But I will see him--ere long.'
Decius went forth for his morning's exercise, which sometimes took
the form of a gentle game of ball, but was generally a ramble on
foot and unaccompanied, for he never felt at ease when an attendant
followed him. His habits were solitary; ever absorbed in thought, or
lost in dreams, he avoided the ways where he would be likely to
encounter an acquaintance, and strayed among ruins in deserted
gardens, such as were easily found in the remoter parts of the
Caelian. To-day, tempted on by the delicious air, and the bright but
not ardent sunshine, he wandered by such unfrequented paths till a
sound of voices broke upon his meditation, and he found himself in
view of the Lateran.
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