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'Emissaries of your own, we supposed. The Hun reflected. 'This man of words' he nodded sideways at Marcian 'spoke of a woman's malice. Explain to me. Venantius told what he knew of Petronilla's enmity, and the listener had no difficulty in coming to the conclusion which to Basil had been evident from the first.
On the other hand, who could say to what sufferings and perils his beloved was exposed whilst Petronilla's captive? He preferred the risks to follow upon her surrender. Did he but know where she was there would at least be a hope of rescuing her. 'By Christ! exclaimed Bessas, when he had listened intently to all Basil's replies, 'this is a strange business.
From the behaviour of Bessas nothing could be certainly deduced: it was now a long time since he had sent for Basil, and Marcian, though believing that the commander's search was still futile, had no more certainty than his friend. Soon after Petronilla's death, the Anician mansion had been thoroughly pillaged and everything of value removed to the Palatine.
Were they truly still in search of her, and were you, were I, suspected of keeping her hidden, do you suppose we should be free, and not rather locked as close as any prison in Rome could hold us? The listener stood mute. So vehement was Petronilla's speech, and so convincing, thus delivered, seemed her argument, that Basil felt his heart sink. Had she, then, outwitted him?
Petronilla's countenance, fixed as a face in marble, still suggested no thought save one of scorn; but there was a brief silence before she replied. 'I would not have believed, she said calmly, 'that a man could be so besotted with foolish passions. Listen, you in turn. Where those women are, I know as little as do you yourself.
'If I learn that Veranilda is in the hands of the Greeks, and that you delivered her to them by the God above us, your life shall pay for it. Petronilla's face hardened till its cruel sternness outdid any expression of hatred possible to Basil's features. 'Keep your ruffian threats for more suitable occasion, such as you will find among your friends the Goths. She spoke coldly and deliberately.
After a sleepless night he set out at sunrise, accompanied by Felix alone. Whether he would be admitted at Petronilla's door was quite uncertain; in any case, it would serve no purpose to go thither with a band of attendants, for the Anician house was sure to be strongly guarded.
At the same time, he felt his friend's suffering, and could not bring himself to inflict another wound. 'If so, he replied, 'the Greek has less confidence in me than I thought, and I must take it as a warning. It may be. On the other hand, there is the possibility that Petronilla's effrontery outwits us all.
He learnt that physicians were with the sick lady, and that the presbyter of St. Cecilia, for whom she had sent in the early morning, remained by her side. Unopposed, Basil entered the atrium, and there spoke with Petronilla's confidential freedman. 'Leo, your mistress is dying.
All she could do would be to endeavour to learn whether Veranilda remained in the charge of Petronilla's confederate, or had been given up to the Greeks. From conversation she had heard, Silvia inclined to this belief, that Bessas and his subordinates were still vainly seeking. The lover kissed her hands in ardent gratitude.
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