But have courage, dear
brother; his face is mild. Despite his error, he has borne himself
reverently to our holy father.'
'Know you what has passed between them?' asked Basil, also in a
whisper.
'That none may know. But when Totila came forth from the tower, he
had the face of one who has heard strange things. Who can say what
the Almighty purposes by the power of his servant Benedict? Not
unguided, surely, did the feet of the misbelieving warrior turn to
climb this mount.'
Leaving the poet monk to nurse his hopes, Basil betook himself with
rapid steps to the prior's room. At the door stood three armed men;
two had the long flaxen hair which proclaimed them Goths, the third
was Venantius. A look of friendly recognition was all that passed
between Basil and his countryman, who straightway admitted him to
the room, announced his name, and retired. Alone--his attitude
that of one who muses--sat the Gothic King. He was bareheaded and
wore neither armour nor weapon; his apparel a purple tunic, with a
loose, gold-broidered belt, and a white mantle purple seamed.
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