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On his return, after a quarter of an hour, he gruffly announced that the travellers were free to depart. 'We humbly thank your Clemency, said Basil, his heart leaping in joy. 'Does your Greatness permit me to order these trifles to be removed? 'Except the money, replied Chorsoman, growling next moment, 'and the vessels'; then snarling with a savage glance about him, 'and the jewels.
Gratefully Basil kissed the old man's hand. They never met again. A week later the bishop was dead. After all, Venantius sat at table with Chorsoman. Fuming, he waited till the next morning, when, if the news could be believed, it became certain that Aurelia and her companion were not at Cumae.
I, of course, take possession of this villa until Aurelia is discovered. And, however important his mission, I cannot allow Basil to depart without some security you will understand that. The barbarous accent with which these sentences were uttered caused Venantius almost as much disgust as the plundering purpose they avowed. 'What security? he asked. Chorsoman named a large sum of money.
Had there been a previous command from some high source touching the Gothic maiden, Chorsoman would never have dared to sell her freedom. As to Marcian's power, that was derived from the authorities at Rome, and granted him for other ends; if he used it to release Veranilda, he acted merely out of love to his friend, as would soon be seen. 'I will hope so, murmured Aurelia.
Chorsoman had dismounted, and stood with half a dozen of his followers behind him in the portico. At sight of Marcian his face became suspicious. 'By mistress, he replied gruffly, stepping forward, 'I suppose you mean the daughter of Maximus. Where is she? Marcian would have continued the conversation within, but the Hun chose to remain standing in the for-court, the gate wide open.
The fame of Veranilda promises to go forth over all lands. King Totila himself has heard of her, and would fain behold this ornament of his race. 'Totila! 'When Cumae was besieged by the Goths three months ago, Chorsoman whom you have not forgotten made terms with Totila, and was allowed to keep some portion of the plunder he had amassed.
It was possible moreover, that Cumae might be the place to which the captives had been conveyed, for Chorsoman had left the fortress yesterday to come hither by way of Neapolis, his reason for the expedition being news of Veranilda's approaching marriage, brought to him by a fisherman who said he had been paid by a person unknown.
The Hun blinked his little eyes, gazed greedily at the money, and was about to speak when a soldier announced that a Roman named Marcian desired immediate audience, therewith handing to the governor a piece of metal which looked like a large coin. Chorsoman had no sooner glanced at this than he bade admit the Roman; but immediately changing his mind, he went out into another room.
'I ought to inform your Sublimity, he said, with all the indifference he could assume, 'that the lady Aurelia despatched two days ago a courier to Rome apprising the noble commandant Bessas of her father's death, and of her intention to arrive in the city as soon as possible, and to put her means at his disposal for the defence of Rome against King Totila. Chorsoman stared.
Time enough to threaten when you detect me in an unfriendly act. Did I play the traitor to you at Cumae? With the Hun this command of Justinian served you in good stead; Veranilda would not otherwise have escaped so easily. Chorsoman, fat-witted as he is, willingly believed that Veranilda and Aurelia, and you yourself, were all in my net which means the net of Bessas, whom he fears.
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