United States or Central African Republic ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
'The lady Aurelia's name is not unknown to me, said Venantius, when Basil spoke of her at table. He would have added a remark, but paused with a look at the attendant slaves. 'Her illustrious father, he went on, 'I spoke with when I was young.
'You serve the Emperor? said Chorsoman, somewhat less overbearingly than he had spoken hitherto. 'When occasion offers, was the dry response. On the Hun's countenance grew legible the calculation busying his thought. At a glance he had taken the measure of Venantius, and gauged the worth of the men behind him.
The watchman was then summoned; he came like one half dead, and smote the ground with his forehead before the young noble, who stood hand on dagger. A fierce interrogatory elicited clear and truthful answers; when Basil learned what Aurelia had whispered to her servant as she went forth, he uttered a groan. 'Marcian! Venantius! he cried, for at that moment the two entered the atrium.
The Gothic army was now advancing along the Via Latina; Basil's followers were united with the troop under Venantius; and on their arrival at Casinum, Felix succeeded in getting leave to climb to the monastery. He had been assured that his lord had recovered health, and was still sojourning with the holy men; but by whom this news had been brought he could not say.
'So much, said Venantius, 'I gathered from your talk last night, when you were not quite so clear-headed as you are now. What I want to discover is whether this Syrian has lied to me. He declares that he left Marcian in Rome.
'I have Totila's word for it, at all events. But you seem indisposed for talk, lord Basil, and my business is with Marcian. The slaves all look scared, and can't or won't answer a plain question. I have no time to waste. Tell me, I pray you, where the lord of the villa may be found. Basil summoned one of his followers. 'Conduct the lord Venantius to Marcian's chamber. It was done.
Careless what might await him, Basil followed the men as far as the inner court, and there stood Venantius. 'I surprise you, cried out the genial voice with a cheery laugh. You had five hours start of me. Pray, dear lord, when did you get here?
At this news Venantius hastened to muster his troop of archers and spearmen. Basil and Marcian, having made sure that all entrances were locked and barred, went to the front gate, and through a wicket surveyed the assailants. These seemed to be mainly of the baser class; they had armed themselves with all sorts of rude weapons, which they brandished menacingly, shouting confused maledictions.
Such a personage was Venantius, son of a senator of the same name, who, under Theodoric, had attained the dignity of Patrician and what other titular glories the time afforded.
A smile, which could not mask its cunning, came on to his lips, and all of a sudden he exchanged his truculence for amiability. 'Lord Venantius, he said, laying an open palm on his own breast, and then motioning with it towards the Roman, 'you and I, two men of valour, can understand each other in few words. I am no talker' his narrow eyes glanced at Marcian 'nor are you.
Word Of The Day