The lover's visits to Heliodora, he said, and his supposed ignorance as to where Veranilda was detained, were part of the plot.

Already Muscula had so far wrought upon Bessas that success seemed within view, and Basil's departure from Rome was only a pretence; he waited near at hand, ready to carry off his beloved.
'How come you to know all this ?' Heliodora asked bluntly at the first pause.
'That also I will tell you,' answered Marcian.

'It is through some one whom Muscula holds of more account than Bessas, and with whom she schemes against him.' 'By the Holy' Mother!' exclaimed Heliodora, 'that is yourself.' Marcian shook his head.
'Not so, gracious lady.' 'Nay, why should you scruple to confess it?
You love Veranilda, and do you think I could not pardon an intrigue which lay on your way to her ?' 'Nevertheless it is not I,' persisted the other gravely.
'Be it so,' said Heliodora.

'And in all this, my good Marcian, what part have I?
How does it regard me?
What do you seek of me ?' Once more the man seemed overcome with confusion.
'Indeed I scarce know,' he murmured.

'I hardly dare to think what was in my mind when I sought you.