Having reflected for a moment, Venantius called the soldier
who stood without the door.
'See to the wants of this messenger. Treat him hospitably, and bring
him hither again in an hour's time.'
The captain then walked to a house close by, where, admitted to the
atrium, he was at once met by an elderly lady, who bent respectfully
before him.
'Has the traveller yet risen?' he began by asking.
'Not yet, my lord. A little while ago his servant told me that he
was still sleeping.'
'Good; he will recover from his fatigue. But pray inquire whether he
is now awake, for I would speak with him as soon as may be.'
The lady was absent for a minute or two, then brought word that the
traveller had just awoke.
'I will go to his bedside,' said Venantius.
He was led to an upper chamber, a small, bare, tiled-floored room,
lighted by a foot-square window, on which the shutter was half
closed against the rays of the sun. Some aromatic odour hung in the
air.
'Do you feel able to talk?' asked the captain as he entered.
'I am quite restored,' was the reply of a man sitting up in the bed.
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