Felix, worn out by watching and with a slight wound in the side which began to be troublesome, he was reluctantly obliged to leave.

Having inquired as to the road over the mountains by which he might reach Arpinum more quickly than by the Latin Way, he rode forth from the town, and was soon spurring at headlong speed in a cloud of dust.
His thoughts far outstripped him; he raged at the prospect of long hours to elapse ere he could reach Marcian's villa.

With good luck he might arrive before nightfall.

If disappointed in that, a whole night must pass, an eternity of torment, before he came face to face with him he had called his dearest friend, now his abhorred enemy.
What if he did not find him at the villa?
Marcian had perhaps no intention of remaining there.

Perhaps he had already carried off his victim to some other place.
Seeing their lord post so furiously, the men looked in wonder at each other.