This cry came again, echoing fearfully through the halls and galleries of this palace of marble.

The servants had fled; Basil dropped to his knees, crossed himself, prayed, the sweat standing upon his forehead.

A footstep approached him; he rose, and saw the physician who had been with Maximus at Surrentum.
'Does she still live ?' he asked.
'If life it can be called.

What do you here, lord Basil ?' 'Can she hear and speak ?' 'I understand you,' replied the physician.

'But it is useless.