If, on the other hand, he found that she could not forget her first lover, Totila is large-hearted enough to yield her up in all honour, and politic enough to see advantage in her union with the heir of the Anician house.
Between these things, Basil must take his chance.

Had he carried off his love, he would have wedded her in disregard of every danger; and so long as it was only the Greeks that sought her, I should have done my best to aid and to protect him.

It is different now.

Basil I hold dearer than any friend; his place is in my very heart, and his happiness is dearer to me than my own; but I cannot help him to frustrate a desire of Totila.

The King is noble; to serve him is to promote the weal of Italy, for which he fights, and in which name he will conquer.' The deacon had paused in his walk.