'At her! She will run before you.' Galla moved as if to act upon this advice, but the voice of Heliodora, peremptory, resonant, checked her step.
'None of that! Get you gone, both of you, and try conclusions if you will in the open street.

Off! Pack! By the Virgin Mother, if you linger I will have you flung out of doors.' In her amazement and indignation, Galla rose to the tips of her feet.
'This to _me_!' she screamed.

'To me, the only woman of noble birth and honest life who still remained your friend! Wanton! witch! poisoner!' Basil sprang up and walked aside, overcome with shame at the scene enacted before him, and fearing it would end in ignoble violence.

He heard Muscula's shriek of laughter, a shout of anger from Vivian, and the continued railing of Galla; then, ere he had taken a dozen steps, a hand touched him, and Heliodora's voice sounded low at his ear.
'You are right, dear Basil.

Only an accident prevented me from being alone at your hour.