'I shall not ask you to tell me the secret,' said Heliodora, with a
smile.
'Gracious lady,' pursued Marcian, 'it is for the purpose of
revealing it to you that I am here. Veranilda is in the palace, held
in guard by Bessas till she can have escort to Constantinople.'
'Ha! You are sure of that?'
'I have it on testimony that cannot be doubted.'
'Why then,' exclaimed Heliodora, all but betraying her exultation in
the thought, 'there is little chance that Basil's love will
prosper.'
'Little chance, dear lady, I hope and believe, but I have confessed
to you that I speak as a self-seeker and a faithless friend. It is
not enough that Basil may not wed her; I would fain have her for
myself.'
The listener laughed. She began to think this man something of a
simpleton.
'Why, my excellent Marcian, I will give you all my sympathy and wish
you good fortune. But that any one may do. What more do you expect
of me?'
Marcian looked towards the open doorway. They were seated in a
luxurious little room, lighted from the peristyle, its adornments in
sculpture a sleeping Hermaphrodite and a drunken satyr; on the wall
were certain marble low-reliefs, that behind Heliodora representing
Hylas drawn down by the Naiads.
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