'
Marcian shook his head.
'Not so, gracious lady.'
'Nay, why should you scruple to confess it? You love Veranilda, and
do you think I could not pardon an intrigue which lay on your way to
her?'
'Nevertheless it is not I,' persisted the other gravely.
'Be it so,' said Heliodora. 'And in all this, my good Marcian, what
part have I? How does it regard me? What do you seek of me?'
Once more the man seemed overcome with confusion.
'Indeed I scarce know,' he murmured. 'I hardly dare to think what
was in my mind when I sought you. I came to you, O Heliodora, as to
one before whom men bow, one whose beauty is resistless, whose wish
is a command. What gave me courage was a word that fell from Bessas
himself when I sat at table with him yesterday. "Wore I the purple,"
he said, "Heliodora should be my Empress."'
'Bessas said that?'
'He did--and in the presence of Muscula, who heard it, I am bound
to say, with a sour visage.'
Heliodora threw back her head and laughed. 'I think he has scarce
seen me thrice,' fell from her musingly. 'Tell him from me,' she
added, 'that it is indiscreet to talk of wearing the purple before
those who may report his words.
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