'Alone of my lord's men. I followed those that came with the king.'
'The king? Totila is here?'
'It was rumoured,' replied Felix, in a reverent voice, 'that he
desired to speak of deep matters with the holy Benedict. They are
even now conversing.'
Basil fell into a great agitation. Absorbed in his private griefs,
and in thoughts of eternity, he had all but forgotten the purpose
with which he crossed the Apennines at the summons of Marcian. The
name of Totila revived his interest in the progress of the war, but
at the same time struck his heart with a chill misgiving. With what
eyes would the king regard Marcian's slayer? Was he more likely to
pardon the deed if he knew (as assuredly he must) that it was done
in jealous love of Veranilda? The words he had not dared to speak
leapt to his lips.
'Felix, know you anything of the Gothic lady--of her whom we
lost?'
'The lord Venantius brought her to Aesernia,' was the grave reply,
'and she is now among the wives and daughters of the Gothic lords
who move with the army.'
Answering other questions, Felix said that he had not seen
Veranilda, and that he knew nothing of her save what he had heard
from those of Basil's men who had been at the island villa, and,
subsequently, from the gossip of the camp.
Pages:
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517