'You say this, and you say that! Mother of God! What do _you_ know about racing?
When were you last in the circus at Constantinople?
At eight years old you once told me.

You have a good memory if you can remember as far back as that!' She shrieked a laugh, which no one else joined in.

Heliodora, to whom the speech was addressed, affected to smile as in lofty tolerance of infantine pettishness.

At this moment Basil stepped up to her, and kissed her hand; As though for contrast with Muscula's utterance, she greeted him in the softest tone her voice could compass, inviting him with a gesture to take a place at her side, or rather at her feet, for she was reclining on a long couch.

Heliodora's robe was of hyacinth blue, broidered in silver thread with elaborate designs.