They are even now conversing.' Basil fell into a great agitation.

Absorbed in his private griefs, and in thoughts of eternity, he had all but forgotten the purpose with which he crossed the Apennines at the summons of Marcian.

The name of Totila revived his interest in the progress of the war, but at the same time struck his heart with a chill misgiving.

With what eyes would the king regard Marcian's slayer?
Was he more likely to pardon the deed if he knew (as assuredly he must) that it was done in jealous love of Veranilda?
The words he had not dared to speak leapt to his lips.
'Felix, know you anything of the Gothic lady--of her whom we lost ?' 'The lord Venantius brought her to Aesernia,' was the grave reply, 'and she is now among the wives and daughters of the Gothic lords who move with the army.' Answering other questions, Felix said that he had not seen Veranilda, and that he knew nothing of her save what he had heard from those of Basil's men who had been at the island villa, and, subsequently, from the gossip of the camp.

A story had got abroad that Veranilda was the lost princess of the Amal line surviving in Italy, and it was commonly thought among the Goths that their king intended to espouse her--the marriage to be celebrated in Rome, when Rome once more acknowledged the Gothic ruler.