Marcian would gladly have asked
questions about Veranilda; how long she had been at Praeneste,
whether the lady Aurelia was in the same convent, and many other
things; but he did not venture to make known how little he had
enjoyed of Leander's confidence. His reverend host spoke not at all
on this subject, which evidently had no interest for him, but
abounded in inquiries as to the state of things ecclesiastical at
Rome. The supper was excellent; it pained the good prelate that his
guest seemed to have so poor an appetite. He vaunted the quality of
everything on the table, and was especially enthusiastic about a
wine of the south, very aromatic, which had come to him as a present
from his friend the Bishop of Rhegium, together with a certain
cheese of Sila, exquisite in thymy savour, whereof he ate with
prodigious gusto.
It was about the third hour of the night when Sagaris, to his
astonishment, was aroused from a first sleep, and bidden prepare at
once for travel. Following his master and the bishop, who were not
otherwise attended, he passed through a garden to a postern, where,
by dim lantern light, he saw, in the street without, a small covered
carriage drawn by four mules, and behind it several men on
horseback; his master's horse and his own were also in readiness at
the door.
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