In the middle of the night I was aroused
and led forth, with me the woman who served me. We had travelled an
hour or two, perhaps, when some one standing by the carriage spoke
to me, some one who said he was Marcian the friend of Basil, and
bade me have no fears, for Basil awaited me at the end of the
journey. The next day he spoke to me again, this time face to face,
but only a few words. We came to this villa. You have been told, by
I know not whom, that I was light of heart. It is true, for I
believed what Marcian had said to me, and nothing had befallen to
disturb my gladness. I lived with my serving woman privately, in
quiet and hope. This morning, yielding, alas! to a wish which I
thought harmless, I went forth with my attendant to the waterfall.
As I stood gazing at it, the lord Marcian came forth on horseback.
He alighted to speak with me, and presently asked if I would go to
see another fall of the river, across the island. I consented. As we
went, he dismissed my servant, and I did not know what he had done
(thinking she still followed), until, when we were in a wood at the
water's edge, I could no longer see the woman, and Marcian told me
he had bidden her go to fetch seats for us.
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