'Speak without fear,' she reassured him. 'In this house, believe me,
no one dare play the eavesdropper.'
'I have to speak,' said Marcian, bending forward, 'of things
perilous--a life hanging on every word. Only to one of whose
magnanimity I felt assured should I venture to disclose my thought.
You have heard,' he proceeded after a pause, 'and, yet I am
perchance wrong in supposing that such idle talk could reach your
ears, let me make known to you then, that with Bessas in the palace
dwells a fair woman (or so they say, for I have not seen her) named
Muscula. She is said to have much power with the commander.'
The listener's countenance had darkened. Regarding Marcian with
haughty coldness, she asked him how this could concern _her_. He, in
appearance dismayed, falteringly entreated her pardon.
'Be not angered, O noble Heliodora! I did not presume to think that
you yourself had any acquaintance with this woman. I wished to make
known to you things that I have heard of her--things which I doubt
not are true. But, as it is only in my own interest that I speak, I
will say no more until I have your permission.
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