They were walking silently, side by side, when the servant Felix
again presented himself before them. Maximus, having heard of the
arrival of Marcian from Rome, requested that he and Basil would
grant him a moment of their leisure. At once the young men turned to
obey this summons. On the way, Basil communicated to his friend in a
whisper the event of the day. A couple of hours having passed since
Aurelia's coming, the Senator had in some degree recovered from his
agitation; he lay now in a room which opened upon the central court
of the villa, a room adorned with rich marbles and with
wall-paintings which were fading under the hand of time. Deathly
pale, scarce able to raise his head from the cushion of the couch,
he none the less showed a countenance bright with joyous emotion.
His quivering voice strove to welcome the visitor cheerily.

'What news from the city, dear lord Marcian? How are all our
friends? Do they begin to forget us?'

'Not so, Illustrious,' answered the young man, with head bent. 'You
are much desired in the Senate, where grave counsel is just now
greatly in demand.'

'The Senate, the Senate,' murmured Maximus, as if reminded of
something he had long forgotten. 'They must needs lack my voice, I
fear. What do men say of the Gothic king?'

Marcian threw a glance at Basil, then towards the curtained portals
of the room; lastly, his eyes turned upon the sick man, whom he
regarded steadily.