I speak only of Veranilda, against whom you can feel no enmity.

Will you release her to me?
It will only be anticipating by a few days her release to Bessas.
Veranilda in his hands, trust me, he will care little what becomes of Aurelia.' 'I listen to you,' replied Petronilla, 'because I am curious to learn into what extravagances your ignoble passion drives you.

I had been told, but could hardly believe, that you charged me with having seized these women.

Now I see that you really are foolish enough to think it.' She threw her head back in a silent laugh of scorn.

'Child--for you are a child in wit though man in years--do you not live at large in Rome, free to come and go as you will ?' 'What of that ?' 'Am not I also a free woman?
Did I not yesterday visit the church of the blessed Petronilla, and might I not, if so I had willed, have escaped instead of returning to the city ?' 'What has this to do with the matter ?' demanded Basil.
'Child! child!' cried the other, as if with boundless contempt.