Not a doubt crossed his mind. And in his heart
was no desire but of vengeance.
At length he drew near to Arpinum. Avoiding the town, he questioned
a peasant at work in the fields, and learnt his way to the island.
Just as he came within view of the eastward waterfall, a girl was
crossing the bridge, away from the villa. Basil drew rein, bidding
his men do likewise, and let the girl, who had a bundle on her head,
draw near. At sight of the horsemen, of whom she was not aware till
close by them, the maid uttered a cry of alarm, and would have run
back but Basil intercepted her, jumped from his horse, and bade her
have no fear, as he only wished to ask a harmless question. Easily
he learnt that Marcian was at the villa, that he had arrived a few
days ago, and that with him had come a lady.
'What is that lady's name?' he inquired.
The girl did not know. Only one or two of the slaves, she said, had
seen her; she was said to be beautiful, with long yellow hair.
'She never goes out?' asked Basil.
The reply was that, only this morning, she had walked in the wood--
the wood just across the bridge--with Marcian.
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