It might be well if you took your ease yet a little with these good bedesmen.' 'It is true that I have not yet all my strength,' answered Basil.
'Moreover,' he added, lowering his voice, 'I would fain lighten my soul of the sin that burdens it.

It may be that, ere long, the holy father will grant me absolution.' Totila nodded with a grave smile.
'Be it so.

When you are sound in flesh and spirit, follow me northward.
I shall then have more to say to you.' The look accompanying these words lent them a significance which put confusion into Basil's mind.

He saw the courteous gesture wherewith the king dismissed him; he bowed and withdrew; but when he had left the room he stood as one bewildered, aware of nothing, his eyes turned vacantly upon some one who addressed him.

Presently he found himself walking apart with Venantius, who spoke to him of public affairs, apprised him of the course of the war during these past weeks, and uttered the hope that before the end of the year the liberators would enter Rome.