From a portico hard by there approached a beggar, a filthy and
hideous cripple, who, with whining prayer, besought alms. Marcian
from his wallet took a copper coin, and, having glanced at it, drew
Basil's attention.

'Look,' said he, smiling oddly, 'at the image and the
superscription.'

It was a coin of Vitiges, showing a helmeted bust of the goddess of
the city, with legend '_Invicta Roma_.'

'_Invicta Roma_,' muttered Basil sadly, with head bent.

Meanwhile, out of earshot of their masters, the two servants
conversed with not less intimacy. At a glance these men were seen to
be of different races. Felix, aged some five and thirty, could boast
of free birth; he was the son of a curial--that is to say,
municipal councillor--of Arpinum, who had been brought to ruin,
like so many of his class in this age, by fiscal burdens, the
curiales being responsible for the taxes payable by their
colleagues, as well as for the dues on any estate in their district
which might be abandoned, and, in brief, for whatsoever deficiencies
of local revenue. Gravity and sincerity appeared in his countenance;
he seldom smiled, spoke in a subdued voice, and often kept his eyes
on the ground; but his service was performed with rare
conscientiousness, and he had often given proof of affection for his
master. Sagaris, a Syrian slave, less than thirty years old, had a
comely visage which ever seemed to shine with contentment, and often
twinkled with a sort of roguish mirth. Tall and of graceful bearing,