as the coffin was on board the ship. Indeed, she saw no objection to
the arrangement her dear nephew proposed; she only trusted that the
learned and amiable Decius, so justly esteemed by all, would have a
care of his health. Did he still take the infusion of marjoram which
she had prescribed for him? A holy man, newly returned from the
East, had deigned to visit her only yesterday, and had given her a
small phial of water from Rebekah's well; it was of priceless
virtue, and one drop of it had last evening restored to health and
strength a child that lay at the point of death.

In the afternoon Basil was again permitted to see Veranilda, though
not alone. To her and to Aurelia he made known that Decius would
willingly undertake the voyage. After lingering for an hour in the
vain hope that Aurelia would withdraw, were it but for a moment, he
went away and scratched ardent words on his tablet. 'I will be in
your garden,' he concluded, 'just at sunrise to-morrow. Try, try to
meet me there.'

Scarcely had he despatched a servant with this when Felix announced
to him the arrival of Marcian. On fire with eagerness, Basil sped to
greet his friend.

'Give me to drink,' were the traveller's first words. 'I have ridden
since before dawn, and have a tongue like leather.'

Wine and grapes, with other refreshments, were set forth for him.
Marcian took up an earthenware jug full of spring water, and drank
deeply. His host then urged the wine, but it was refused; and as
Basil knew that one of his friend's peculiarities was a rigorous
abstinence at times from all liquor save the pure element, he said