May I never be saved if she is fit company for women
who respect themselves.'
'Why such hurry, O chaste Galla!' exclaimed Muscula. 'Is your
husband at home for once? I can answer for it he is not there very
often; the wiser man he.'
'Slap her face, Galla,' cried Vivian. 'At her! She will run before
you.'
Galla moved as if to act upon this advice, but the voice of
Heliodora, peremptory, resonant, checked her step.
'None of that! Get you gone, both of you, and try conclusions if you
will in the open street. Off! Pack! By the Virgin Mother, if you
linger I will have you flung out of doors.'
In her amazement and indignation, Galla rose to the tips of her
feet.
'This to _me_!' she screamed. 'To me, the only woman of noble birth
and honest life who still remained your friend! Wanton! witch!
poisoner!'
Basil sprang up and walked aside, overcome with shame at the scene
enacted before him, and fearing it would end in ignoble violence. He
heard Muscula's shriek of laughter, a shout of anger from Vivian,
and the continued railing of Galla; then, ere he had taken a dozen
steps, a hand touched him, and Heliodora's voice sounded low at his
ear.
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