But Marcus whispered an admonishing word.
'I praise your zeal, good brother; nevertheless, as your physician,
I cannot suffer your night's rest to be broken. Descend for lauds,
if you will, but not earlier.'
Basil bowed in obedience. Lauds again saw him at prayer. Hitherto,
when they were together in the oratory, it had been the habit of
Deodatus to kneel behind his master; this morning Basil placed
himself by his servant's side. They walked away together in the
pearly light of dawn, and Basil led the way to a sequestered spot,
whence there was a view over the broad valley of the Liris. Several
times of late he had come here, to gaze across the mountainous
landscape, wondering where Veranilda might be. Turning to his
companion, he laid a hand on the man's shoulder, and addressed him
in a voice of much gentleness.
'Did you leave nothing behind you, Deodatus, which would make the
thought of never returning to your home a sorrow?'
'Nothing, my dear lord,' was the reply. 'In my lifetime I have seen
much grief and little solace. All I loved are dead.'
'But you are young.
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