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True, she had objects of value, such as were daily accepted by Bessas in exchange for corn and pork; but, if it came to that extremity, could not better use be made of the tough-skinned commander? Heliodora had no mind to support herself on bread and pork whilst food more appetising might still be got. It was all but dark. She rang a hand-bell and was answered by a maidservant.
Hearing this, the stricken lady fell into an anguish of mind worse even than that of the body; she uttered words signifying repentance for some ill-doing, and, after a while, said to those who were beside her a physician and the speaker that, if she died, they were to make known to Bessas that the deacon Leander, he and he alone, could tell all.
He had previously sent orders to Bessas to second his operations by a timely sally from the town; and he had fixed his lieutenant, Isaac, by a peremptory command, to the station of the port. But avarice rendered Bessas immovable; while the youthful ardor of Isaac delivered him into the hands of a superior enemy.
Sagaris, who suspected himself to have been tricked by Heliodora in the matter of her removal to the Palatine, and had not the least faith in her power to beguile Bessas, swore by all the saints that the day of his revenge should come; but for the present he had to think of how to keep himself alive.
And all at once, as though his brain were restored by the freshness of the morning, he grasped the thought which had eluded him. Marcian's treachery was no new thing: twice he had been warned against his seeming friend, by Petronilla and by Bessas, and in his folly he had scorned the accusation which time had now so bitterly justified.
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.
Among the many persons whom he made to serve his ends without admitting them to his confidence was Galla, the wife of a noble whom Amalasuntha had employed in her secret communications with Byzantium, and who was now one of the intimates of Bessas.
'In Rome rules Bessas. 'The Thracian, remarked Basil bitterly. 'And in Ravenna, added the sick man, 'Alexandros the coin-clipper. The eyes of Basil and of Marcian encountered. Between them came no shadow of distrust, the smile they exchanged told of loyal affection. 'This Totila, pursued Marcian, 'seems to be not only a brave and capable commander, but a shrewd politician.
During one of the pauses of the festival, when places were changed, and limbs stretched, some one whispered to her that she was invited to step towards that place of honour where sat the Emperor's representative. An invitation of Bessas could not lightly be declined, nor had Heliodora any reluctance to obey such a summons.
'They say she is far on the way to Constantinople, said Heliodora. 'If so, and if Bessas sent her, his craft is greater than I thought. For I have spoken with him, and' she smiled 'he seems sincere when he denied all knowledge of the maiden. Marcian still gazed at the distance. Again he spoke as if unconsciously murmuring his thoughts: 'Totila advances.
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