'What other counsel could you have expected from Pelagius?' said
Marcian, after listening attentively. 'But on one point I can
reassure you. Veranilda has not yet fallen into the hands of the
Greeks.'
'How do you know that?' exclaimed Basil eagerly.
'Enough that I do know it. Whilst you have been idling here--
forgive me, good Basil--I have travelled far and conversed with
many men. And I have something else to tell you, which will
perchance fall less agreeably upon your ear. The fame of Veranilda
promises to go forth over all lands. King Totila himself has heard
of her, and would fain behold this ornament of his race.'
'Totila!'
'When Cumae was besieged by the Goths three months ago, Chorsoman--
whom you have not forgotten--made terms with Totila, and was
allowed to keep some portion of the plunder he had amassed. Thinking
to do the king a pleasure, he told him of Veranilda, of the commands
regarding her which had come from the East, and of her vanishing no
one knew whither. And of these things, O Basil, did Totila himself,
with his royal mouth, speak unto me not many days gone by.
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