'
Marcian started up.
'Basil? How equipped and attended?'
'Armed, on horseback, and with a number of armed horsemen.'
'Withdraw, and wait outside till I call you.'
Marcian turned to the presbyter. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes
strangely bright.
'Here,' he said, in low, hurried tones, 'comes an evil man, a
deep-dyed traitor, with the aspect of friendliest integrity. I am
glad you are with me. I have no leisure now to tell you the story;
you shall hear it afterwards. What I ask of you, reverend father, is
to bear me out in all I say, to corroborate, if asked to do so, all
I state to him. You may rely upon the truth of every word I shall
utter; and may be assured that, in doing this, you serve only the
cause of good. Let it not surprise you that I receive the man with
open arms. He was my dear friend; I have only of late discovered his
infamy, and for the gravest reasons, which you shall learn, I am
obliged to mask my knowledge. Beloved father, you will give me your
countenance?'
'I will, I will,' replied Gaudiosus nervously. 'You would not
deceive me, I well know, dear son.
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