'Have I pretended to come here for anything but my own purpose, which you pretended to serve ?' Heliodora stood in a strange attitude, her arms thrown back, her body leaning forward--much like some fierce and beautiful animal watching the moment to spring.
'Do you believe what that harlot said ?' she asked in a thick voice.
'Enough of it to understand my folly in hoping to learn anything through you.

Let us part, and think of each other no more.' She caught his arm and put her face close to his.
'Leave me thus, and your life shall pay for it.' Basil laughed scornfully.
'That cockerel,' he replied, pointing to Vivian, who was just stirring, 'sent me a message this morning, that if I valued my life I should not come here.

I heed your threat no more than his.' They looked into each other's eyes, and Heliodora, deep read in the looks of men, knew that her desire was frustrate.
'Go then,' she said.

'Go quickly, lest the boy pursue you His second aim might be surer.' Basil deigned no reply.

He went into the vestibule, waited there until his horse was brought up, and rode away.
His head bent, scarce noting the way he took, he found himself at the entrance to Trajan's Forum.