After all, was not Cassiodorus right?
Were not the senators who had ceaselessly intrigued with Byzantium in truth traitors to Rome?
It was a bitter thought for the dying man that all his life he had not only failed in service to his country, but had obstinately wrought for her ruin.
Attendants placed food beside him.

He mingled wine with water and soothed a feverish thirst.

His physician, an elderly man of Oriental visage, moved respectfully to his side, greeted him as Illustrious, inquired how his Magnificence had passed the latter part of the night.
Whilst replying, as ever courteously--for in the look and bearing of Maximus there was that _senatorius decor_ which Pliny noted in a great Roman of another time--his straining eyes seemed to descry a sail in the quarter he continually watched.

Was it only a fishing boat?
Raised upon the couch, he gazed long and fixedly.

Impossible as yet to be sure whether he saw the expected bark; but the sail seemed to draw nearer, and he watched.
The voice of a servant, who stood at a respectful distance, announced: 'The gracious Lady'; and there appeared a little procession.