'Child of a mercenary traitor, who opened Italy to his people's foe! Not that! Had you seen her, you would not believe it.' 'Oh, my good Basil,' laughed the other, 'do you think I should see her with your eyes?
But perhaps we conjecture idly quite missing the mark.
What does it matter?
You have no intention, I hope, of returning to Cumae ?' Basil opened his lips to reply, but thought better of it, and said nothing.

Then his friend turned to speak of the ecclesiastical visitor who had that evening arrived, and, the subject not proving very fruitful, each presently betook himself to his night's repose..