having ventured to speak the name of Veranilda), and in an hour's
time the covered carriage from Puteoli, and another vehicle, were in
waiting. The baggage was brought out; then, as Basil stood in the
hall, he saw Aurelia come forward, accompanied by a slight female
figure, whose grace could not be disguised by the long hooded cloak
which wrapped it from head to foot, allowing not a glimpse of face.
The young man trembled, and followed. He saw the ladies step into
the carriage, and was himself about to mount his horse, when a
military officer, attended by three soldiers, stepped towards him,
and, without phrase of courtesy, demanded his name. Pallid, shaken
with all manner of emotions, Basil replied to this and several other
inquiries, the result being that the two vehicles were ordered to be
driven to the citadel, and he to go thither under guard.

At the entrance to the citadel the carriage drew up and remained
there under guard. Basil was led in, and presently stood before the
military governor of Cumae; this was a Hun named Chorsoman, formerly
one of Belisarius's bodyguard. He spoke Latin barbarously; none the
less was his language direct and perspicuous. The Roman lady wished
to quit Cumae, where she had lived for some years; she purposed,
moreover, to take away with her a maiden of Gothic race, who, though
not treated as a captive, had been under observation since she was
sent to dwell here by Belisarius. This could not pass as a matter of
small moment. Plainly, permission to depart must be sought of the
authorities, and such permission, under the circumstances, could
only be granted in return for substantial payment--a payment in
proportion t6 the lady's rank. It was known that the senator Maximus
had died, and report said that his daughter inherited great wealth.
The price of her passport would be one thousand gold pieces.