'If so it please you, little one,' answered Athalfrida, changing all
at once to her softest mood. 'The king leaves all to my discretion,
and I ask nothing better than to do you kindness. Shall it be here,
or within?'
Veranilda whispered 'Here'; whereupon Osuin received a sign, and
stalked off. A few minutes passed, and Athalfrida, who, after
caresses and tender words, had drawn apart, as if to watch her
children playing, beheld the expected visitor. Her curiosity was not
indiscreet; she would have glimpsed the graceful figure, the comely
visage, and then have turned away; but at this moment the new comer
paused, looked about him in hesitation, and at length advanced
towards her. She had every excuse for looking him straight in the
face, and it needed not the pleasant note of his speech to dispose
her kindly towards him.
'Gracious lady, I seek the lady Veranilda, and was bidden come
hither along the terrace.'
Totila's sister had but little of the Latin tongue; now, for perhaps
the first time in her life, she regretted this deficiency. Smiling,
she pointed to a group of cypresses which hid part of the portico,
and her questioner, with a courtly bow, went on.
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