Falling of a sudden into a show of profound distress, he kept silence for a little, then murmured bitterly: 'I see what has happened.

When the fever was upon me, my mind wandered, and I talked.' So convincing was the face, the tone, so plausible the explanation, that Heliodora drew slowly back, her fury all but quenched.

She questioned him as to the likely betrayer, and the name of Sagaris having been mentioned, used the opportunity to learn what she could concerning the man.
'I cannot promise to give him up to you to be tortured,' said Marcian, with his characteristic smile of irony.
'That I do not ask.

But,' she added significantly, 'will you send him here, and let me use gentler ways of discovering what I can ?' 'That, willingly.' And when Marcian went away, he reflected that all was not yet lost.

For Heliodora still had faith in the prophecy of her astrologer; she was more resolute than ever in her resolve to triumph over Bessas; she could gain nothing to this end by helping her confederate's ruin.
Before parting, they had agreed that Marcian would do well to affect ignorance of the discovery Bessas had made; time and events must instruct them as to the projects of their enemies, and guide their own course.
That same day, he despatched the Syrian with a letter to Heliodora, and on the man's return spoke with him as if carelessly of his commission.
He remarked that the face of Sagaris shone as though exultantly, but no indiscreet word dropped from the vaunter's lips.