'I surprise you,' cried out the genial voice with a cheery laugh.
You had five hours start of me. Pray, dear lord, when did you get
here?'
Basil could make no reply, and the other, closely observing his
strange countenance, went on to explain that, scarcely started from
Aesernia on his way to the king, Marcian's messenger had met with
Totila himself, who was nearer than had been thought. After reading
the letter, Totila had come on rapidly to Aesernia, and had
forthwith despatched Venantius to the villa by Arpinum.
'You guess my mission, lord Basil,' he pursued, with bluff
good-humour. 'Dullard that I was, the talk of a fair lady travelling
in Marcian's charge never brought to my mind that old story of
Surrentum. Here is our royal Totila all eagerness to see this
maiden--if maiden still she be. What say you on that point, dear lord?
Nay, look not so fiercely at me. I am not here to call any one to
account, but only to see that the Gothic beauty comes safe to
Aesernia as soon as may be.'
'You will find her within,' muttered Basil.
'And Marcian? I might have thought I came inopportunely to this
dwelling, but that he himself wrote to the king that the lady was
here.
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