To satisfy the
jealousy of Heliodora, and at the same time to please the Greek
commander in Rome, he plotted to convey you to Constantinople. I
having discovered this plot, found a way to defeat it. You escaped
but narrowly. When I carried you away from Praeneste, pursuers were
close behind us, therefore it was that we travelled through the
night. Here you are in safety, for King Totila is close at hand, and
will guard you against your enemies.'
Veranilda pressed her hands upon her forehead, and stood mute. As
his eyes shifted furtively about her, Marcian caught sight of
something black and undulant stirring among stones near her feet; at
once he grasped her by the arm, and drew her towards him.
'A viper!' he exclaimed, pointing.
'What of that?' was her reply, with a careless glance. 'I would not
stir a step to escape its fangs.'
And, burying her face in her hands, she wept.
These tears, this attitude of bewildered grief, were Marcian's
encouragement. He had dreaded the innocence of her eyes lest it
should turn to distrust and rejection. Had she refused to believe
him, he knew not how he would have persisted in his villainy; for,
even in concluding his story, it seemed to him that he must betray
himself; so perfidious sounded to him the voice which he could
hardly believe his own, and so slinking-knavish did he feel the
posture of his body, the movements of his limbs.
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