Seeing that fatigue scarce
suffered her to reply, he at once withdrew, leaving her alone with
her handmaiden. And yet he had not beheld Veranilda's face.
Himself unable to take repose, he strayed about the purlieus of the
villa, in his ears the sound of rushing water, before his eyes a
flitting vision which he would not see. He had heard from his
steward the latest news of the countryside; it was said in Arpinum
that the Gothic forces were at length assembled for the march on
Rome; at Aquinum Totila would be welcomed, and what resistance was
he likely to meet with all along the Latin Way? When the horsemen
had refreshed themselves, Marcian summoned the leader; their
services, he said, would no longer be necessary; he bade them depart
as early as might be on the morrow, and bear with all speed to their
lord the bishop an important letter which he forthwith wrote and
gave to the man, together with a generous guerdon. This business
despatched, he again wandered hither and thither, incapable of rest,
incapable of clear thought, fever in his heart and in his brain.
Pages:
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385