Then he began to speak,
and what he said, how shall I tell you?'
There was another brief silence. Basil did not stir; his eyes were
bent sternly upon the veiled visage.
'Was it evil in his heart that shaped such words? Or had he been
deceived by some other? He said that Basil had forgotten me; that
Basil loved, and would soon wed, a lady in Rome. More than that, he
said that Basil was plotting to get me into his power, his purpose
being to deliver me to the Greeks, who would take me to
Constantinople. But Marcian, so he declared, had rescued me in time,
and I was to be guarded by the King of the Goths.'
The listener moved, raising his arm and letting it fall again. But
he breathed no word.
'This did he tell me,' she added. 'I went back to the villa to my
chamber. I sat thinking, I know not how long; I know not how long.
Then, unable to remain any longer alone, driven by my dreadful
doubt, I came forth to seek Marcian. I descended the stairs to the
atrium. You saw me--alas! alas!'
Basil drew nearer to her.
'He had spoken no word of love?'
'No word.
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