He might thus
gain so much advance of his pursuers that they would not be able to
overtake him before he came to the nearest outpost of the Gothic
army. After reflection, the bishop gave his approval to this
project, and undertook that all should be ready at the fitting hour.
He himself would accompany them to the gate of the town, and see
them safely on their way. To make surer, Marcian used another
device. When he had learned the quarters of the pursuing horsemen he
sent Sagaris privily to speak with their leader, warning him to be
ready to ride at daybreak. Such a message had of course nothing
unexpected for its recipient, who looked upon Marcian as secretly
serving Pelagius. It put his mind at ease and released him from the
necessity of keeping a night watch. Sagaris, totally ignorant of his
master's mission, and of the plans that had just been formed,
imagined himself an intermediary in some plot between Marcian and
the leader of the horsemen, and performed the deceitful office in
all good faith.
The bishop and his guest sat down to supper in an ancient room, of
which the floor was a mosaic representing an Egyptian landscape,
with a multitude of figures.
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