Basil did not stir; his eyes were bent sternly upon the veiled visage.
'Was it evil in his heart that shaped such words?
Or had he been deceived by some other?
He said that Basil had forgotten me; that Basil loved, and would soon wed, a lady in Rome.

More than that, he said that Basil was plotting to get me into his power, his purpose being to deliver me to the Greeks, who would take me to Constantinople.

But Marcian, so he declared, had rescued me in time, and I was to be guarded by the King of the Goths.' The listener moved, raising his arm and letting it fall again.

But he breathed no word.
'This did he tell me,' she added.

'I went back to the villa to my chamber.