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He has the eye of his race, and is a prating braggart, but Marcian has found him honest. I must see him, Venantius. Will you send him to me, dear lord? Venantius had seated himself on a chair that was beside the bed; he wore a dubious look, and, before speaking again, glanced keenly at Basil. 'Did you not expect, he asked, 'to meet Marcian in the king's camp?
Doubtless Venantius had held communication with the monastery. 'And you are here alone? asked Basil, fearing still to utter the question which was foremost in his mind. 'Alone of my lord's men. I followed those that came with the king. 'The king? Totila is here? 'It was rumoured, replied Felix, in a reverent voice, 'that he desired to speak of deep matters with the holy Benedict.
Until news could be brought back he should remain here in the villa. This intention he announced in a tone abundantly significant, his hearers understanding that Aurelia's property was now in hands not accustomed to relax their grasp. 'Lord Venantius, he added, 'as your escort is no longer needed, you will wish, no doubt, to return forthwith to your own abode.
To him, the routing of such a rabble seemed a task not worth speaking of, but some few would no doubt be slain, and Basil shrank from such extremities. 'Would you give up these trembling wretches? asked Venantius scornfully, pointing to the four slaves, male and female, Arians either by origin or by conversion to please Aurelia, whom she had brought from Cumae.
The stalwart Venantius thought for a moment of carrying Basil before him on his horse, but prudence overcame this humane impulse. Owing to its position on the highroad, trodden by so many barbaric armies, this city had suffered repeated devastation. Its great buildings stood desolate, or had fallen to utter ruin, and the country around, once famous for its fertility, showed but a few poor farms.
'Where is Felix? was Basil's first question. Felix was gone, but only to the town at the foot of the mountain, where he and two of his fellows would abide until their master left the monastery. With this message Deodatus had been charged by Venantius. He added that Felix had been dismissed, at the abbot's order, during Basil's interview with the king.
'I cannot, replied Basil, 'for I dare not leave Veranilda without protection, after what you have told me. 'Why, then, Venantius must come hither. Whilst the friends were thus conversing a courier rode forth from Surrentum towards Neapolis. He bore a letter whereof the contents were these: 'To the holy and reverend deacon Leander, Petronilla's humble salutation.
A light cart drawn by two mules speedily appeared, and on this Basil was laid. One only of his men did Venantius allow to accompany him, the others were bidden ride on with the captain's own soldiers to Aesernia. 'There you will find us all when you are on your legs again, said Venantius, 'unless by that time we have marched Romewards, in which case you shall have a message.
Yield to us the accursed heretics! shouted a burly fellow armed with an ox-goad. 'For what usage? asked Basil. 'That's as they choose. If they like to come before the bishop and turn Christian why, a little correction shall suffice. If not, they have only themselves and the devil to blame. By this time Venantius and his retainers stood in the forecourt.
The loss of some half dozen men grieved him to the heart; had the brave fellows fallen in battle with the Greeks, he would have thought less of it; to see them slain, or captured, by mere brigands was more than he could bear. When at length he reached Aesernia, and there unexpectedly met with Venantius, he fell from his horse like a dying man.
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