For his own part, he would make known to Totila as soon
as might be the hope of his friends in Rome.
Again some days passed, and Marcian received one of those messages
which at times reached him from the Gothic king. Totila's bidding
was contained in a few words: Let Marcian seek speech with the
deacon Leander. Surprised, but having full confidence in the
messenger, Marcian presently wrote to the deacon in brief terms,
saying that he wished to converse with him regarding a certain
heretic of whom he had hopes. To this came prompt reply, which did
not, however, invite Marcian, as he had expected, to a meeting in
private; but merely said that, on the morrow, an hour after sunrise,
Leander would be found in a certain public place.
Leander was busied just now in a matter peculiarly con. genial to
him, the destruction of an ancient building in order to enrich with
its columns and precious marbles a new Christian church. At the hour
appointed, Marcian found him in the temple of Minerva Chalcidica,
directing workmen as to what they should remove; before him lay
certain mouldings in green porphyry (the precious _lapis
Lacedaemonius_), which had been carefully broken from their places,
and he was regarding them with the eye of a lover.
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