'Do you believe what that harlot said?' she asked in a thick voice.
'Enough of it to understand my folly in hoping to learn anything
through you. Let us part, and think of each other no more.'
She caught his arm and put her face close to his.
'Leave me thus, and your life shall pay for it.'
Basil laughed scornfully.
'That cockerel,' he replied, pointing to Vivian, who was just
stirring, 'sent me a message this morning, that if I valued my life
I should not come here. I heed your threat no more than his.'
They looked into each other's eyes, and Heliodora, deep read in the
looks of men, knew that her desire was frustrate.
'Go then,' she said. 'Go quickly, lest the boy pursue you His second
aim might be surer.'
Basil deigned no reply. He went into the vestibule, waited there
until his horse was brought up, and rode away.
His head bent, scarce noting the way he took, he found himself at
the entrance to Trajan's Forum. Here he checked his horse, and
seemed to be contemplating that scene which for centuries had
excited the wonder and the awe of men.
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