Belisarius, and enjoys his reward at Byzantium. What if he left a
child behind him?'

Basil repulsed the suggestion vehemently.

'Not that! I had half thought of it myself; but no. Aurelia said of
the house of Theodoric.'

'Why so would be a daughter of Ebrimut, through her mother--who
was the daughter of Theodahad, who was the son of Amalafrida, who
was the sister of Theodoric himself.'

'She could not have meant that,' protested Basil. 'Child of a
mercenary traitor, who opened Italy to his people's foe! Not that!
Had you seen her, you would not believe it.'

'Oh, my good Basil,' laughed the other, 'do you think I should see
her with your eyes? But perhaps we conjecture idly quite missing the
mark. What does it matter? You have no intention, I hope, of
returning to Cumae?'

Basil opened his lips to reply, but thought better of it, and said
nothing. Then his friend turned to speak of the ecclesiastical
visitor who had that evening arrived, and, the subject not proving
very fruitful, each presently betook himself to his night's repose.