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Updated: June 5, 2025
Tell me, if you can, what has become of the lady Aurelia and of the Gothic maiden who attended upon her. 'Lord Chorsoman, replied Venantius, 'I thought it was you who could have answered that question. The ladies Aurelia and Veranilda have this morning disappeared, and we judged it likely that they had been enticed from the villa to be captured and borne to Cumae. 'Who should have done that?
'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.
Together they passed through the atrium, Chorsoman casting eager glances about him, and to the inner court; but the followers of Venantius, obedient to a silent order, still kept their position in face of the Greek soldiers, and this Chorsoman knew. 'You understand, said the Hun, when they were alone together, you, a brave and honourable man, how my duty to the Emperor obliges me to act.
Marcian then inquired of the commander whether, in case Veranilda were found at Cumae, he would permit her to be sent on to Rome under the escort already provided; but to this Chorsoman vouchsafed no direct reply: he would consider the matter. Negotiations had reached this point when new visitors arrived, the Bishop of Surrentum and presbyter Joannes.
Here at Surrentum he could not long rest in safety, for Chorsoman might at any time have his suspicions awakened by learning the delay of Veranilda's journey to Rome, and the news of her marriage could not be prevented from spreading. So Basil lay through an anxious hour or two before sleep fell upon him to-night.
This being reported to Chorsoman, his hideous, ashen-grey countenance assumed a fierce expression; he commanded that all the baggage on the vehicles should be brought and opened before him; this was done. Whilst Basil, boiling with secret rage, saw his cousin's possessions turned out on to the floor a thought flashed into his mind.
This was now repeated by Marcian, who professed himself overwhelmed by the event. 'You have here one Basilius, said Chorsoman. 'The same whom your greatness saw on a certain occasion at Cumae. 'They tell me he was about to wed with Veranilda. What does that mean?
'That is Chorsoman, said Marcian, as soon as he could distinguish the captain's feature, 'the commander at Cumae. 'Then it is not to Cumae that they have carried her! exclaimed Basil, surmising at once that the Hun was come in pursuit of Veranilda. 'Time enough to think of that, growled Venantius, as he glared from under black brows at the advancing horsemen. 'What are we to do?
It may be that Petronilla is ignorant of what I have told you; yet, if so, I fear she will soon learn it, for Chorsoman will write if the barbarian can write to Bessas, and cannot but mention her. There are prisons in Rome for those who offend the tyrant of Byzantium. 'It troubles me to hear you say that, said Decius, with an anxious glance.
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