But Marcian was not lust-bitten quite to madness.
For the present, enough to ruin the hopes of Basil.

This done, the field for his own attempt lay open.

By skilful use of his advantages, he might bring it to pass that Totila would grant him a supreme reward--the hand of Veranilda.
Unless, indeed, the young king, young and warm-blooded however noble of mind, should himself look upon Veranilda with a lover's eyes.

It was not the first time that Marcian had thought of this.

It made him wince.
But he reminded himself that herein lay another safeguard against the happiness of Basil, and so was able to disregard the fear.
He would let his victim repose during the heat of the day, and then, towards evening, would summon her to another interview.