His attire
followed the latest model from Byzantium: a loose, long-sleeved
tunic, descending to the feet, its hue a dark yellow, and over that
a long mantle of white silk, held together upon one shoulder by a
great silver buckle in the form of a running horse; silken shoes,
gold embroidered, with leather soles dyed purple; and on each wrist
a bracelet. His black hair was short, and crisped into multitudinous
curls with a narrow band of gold pressing it from the forehead to
the ears.
'Oh, look at little Vivian!' cried Muscula. 'He has the eyes of an
angry rat. What vexes him? Is it because he saw Basil touch
Heliodora's slipper?'
'If I had!' sputtered the boy. 'By the devil, if I had!'
'Oh, he affrights me!' went on the mocking woman. 'Heliodora, stroke
his curls, and give him a kiss, I beseech you. Who knows what
dreadful thing may happen else?'
'I have had enough of this,' said Gall a, rising with a careless
laugh. 'Your house has been intolerable, most dear Heliodora, since
you made friends with Muscula. Why you did, I'm sure I don't know;
but for my part I take a respectful leave, noble lady, until I hear
that this mouse of the Palatine has ceased to amuse you with its
pretty pranks.
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