more easily guessed.'

'But must not be talked of here,' interrupted Basil, glancing at the
door. 'Let us find some more suitable place.'

They descended the dark, foul stairs, and went out together. Before
the house stood the two serving-men, who, as their masters walked
away, followed at a respectful distance. When safe from being
overheard, Basil recounted to his friend the course of events at the
Surrentine villa since Marcian's departure, made known his suspicion
that Aurelia had secretly returned to the Catholic faith. He then
told of to day's journey and its purpose, his hearer wearing a look
of grave attention.

'Can it be,' asked Marcian, 'that you think of wedding this Gothic
beauty?'

'Assuredly,' answered Basil, with a laugh, 'I have thought of it.'

'And it looks as though Aurelia favoured your desire.'

'It has indeed something of that appearance.'

'Pray you now, dear lord,' said Marcian, 'be sober awhile. Have you
reflected that, with such a wife, you would not dare return to
Rome?'

Basil had not regarded that aspect of the matter, but his friend's
reasoning soon brought him to perceive the danger he would lightly
have incurred. Dangers, not merely those that resulted from the war;