'
'You know well.' Her dark eyes flashed a glance of rebuke, and
turned scornfully away again. 'But it matters nothing. I sent for
you to ask what more you have to say.'
Marcian affected surprise and embarrassment.
'It was my hope, gracious lady, that some good news awaited me on
your lips. What can I say more than you have already heard from me?'
'Be it so,' was the careless reply. 'I have nothing to tell you
except that Veranilda is not there.' She pointed towards the palace.
'And this I have no doubt you know.'
'Believe me, O Heliodora,' he exclaimed earnestly, 'I did not. I was
perhaps misled by--'
Her eyes checked him.
'By whom?'
'By one who seemed to speak with honesty and assurance.'
'Let us say, then, that you were misled; whether deceived or not,
concerns only yourself. And so, lord Marcian, having done what I can
for you, though it be little, I entreat your kind remembrance, and
God keep you.'
Her manner had changed to formal courtesy, and, with this dismissal,
she moved away again. Marcian stood watching her for a moment, then
turned to look at the wide prospect.
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