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I pray you, did Marcian, when you came to visit him, speak of a lady whose virtue he was sworn to guard? Plainly, not a word fell from him. Yet assuredly he would have spoken had things been as you pretend. Gaudiosus, bent double, a hand propping his white-bearded chin, mused for a little with sadded air. 'Lord Basil, he resumed at length, 'somewhat more have I to say to you.
Help me to bear her to the couch. But Basil took the slender body in his arms, and carried it like that of a child. When he had laid it down, he looked at Gaudiosus sternly. 'Have you authority in this house? 'Some little, perhaps. I know not. What is your will? Utterly confounded, his eyes dropping moisture, his limbs shaken as if with palsy, the priest babbled his reply.
Gaudiosus approached the couch, and spoke soothing words. 'What dreadful thought is this? said Veranilda. 'What have I seen? The priest whispered an adjuration to prayer. But she, raising her head, cast terrified glances about the hall. Basil had moved further away, and she did not seem to be aware of his presence.
Your hospitality must restore me. 'That it shall, replied Marcian. 'Or, better still, he added, 'the hospitality of my father Gaudiosus. He touched the priest's arm, as if affectionately. 'For here there is little solace; barely one chamber habitable. You have often heard me describe, O Basil, my poor, ruinous island villa, and now at length you behold it.
'When I left her, pursued Gaudiosus, whose confidence in his own judgment was already shaken by the young man's vehemence, 'I spoke in private with certain of the bondswomen, who declared to me that they could avouch the maiden's innocence since her coming hither until to-day's sunrise. Basil laughed with scorn. 'Until to-day's sunrise? And pray, good father, what befell her at that moment?
This priest it was he bore the name Gaudiosus who had baptized Marcian, and had given him in childhood religious teaching; a good, but timid man, at all times readier to praise than to reprove, a well-meaning utterer of smooth things, closing his eyes to evil, which confused rather than offended him.
He bent forward, heard a sigh. Then the blue eyes opened, but as yet saw nothing. Gaudiosus reappeared, and Basil beckoned him. 'You do not know her? he asked in a low voice. 'I never looked upon her face till now, was the reply. At the sound of their voices Veranilda stirred, tried to rouse herself, uttered a sound of distress. 'Speak to her, said Basil.
At length, seeing a shadow draw near, he raised his eyes and beheld Gaudiosus. He tried to speak, but found that his tongue clave to the roof of his mouth. Automatically he crossed himself, then caught the priest's hand, and knelt and kissed it. 'Rise, my son, said Gaudiosus, 'for I would talk with you. On one side of the courtyard was a portico with seats, and thither the old man led.
The listener nodded, and let himself drop upon a seat near to where Marcian was standing. 'What have you to tell me? he asked under his breath. 'Nothing good, alas! was the murmured reply. 'Shall we speak in private? 'Nay, it is needless. All my secrets lie open to Gaudiosus. Again Basil cast a glance at the presbyter, who had seated himself and appeared to be absorbed in thought.
Did you not hear her lament because the man was dead? It is indeed the devil that beguiles you. Gaudiosus bent his head, and pondered anxiously. 'Tell me, he said at length, 'all her story, that I may compare it with what I have heard from her own lips. Slowly at first, and confusedly, with hesitations, repetitions, long pauses, Basil recited the history of Veranilda, so far as he knew it.
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