'
'It would be as well, I think,' was the reply, 'if his wish were
gratified.'
'Ah? But how would that please a friend of yours, dear lord?' asked
Leander, with unaffected interest.
Marcian's answer was in a tone of entire sincerity, very unlike that
he had used when speaking on this subject with Heliodora.
'It might please him well or ill. The King'--he lowered his voice
a little--'would see with gladness this beautiful maiden of his
own people, sprung too from the royal blood, and would look with
favour upon those who delivered her in safety to him. Should he make
her his queen, and I believe she is worthy of that, the greater his
gratitude to those who prevented her marriage with a Roman. If, on
the other hand, he found that she could not forget her first lover,
Totila is large-hearted enough to yield her up in all honour, and
politic enough to see advantage in her union with the heir of the
Anician house. Between these things, Basil must take his chance. Had
he carried off his love, he would have wedded her in disregard of
every danger; and so long as it was only the Greeks that sought her,
I should have done my best to aid and to protect him.
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