When,' added Aurelia, smiling, 'were you so dashed in a maid's presence ?' 'Nay, never! I am not accused of too much modesty; but when I entered and looked on Veranilda--oh, it was the strangest moment of my life! Noble cousin,' he added pleadingly, 'honoured Aurelia, do but tell me what is her parentage ?' 'How does that concern your Excellence?
I have told you all that it imports you to know--at all events for the present.

Cousin Basil, you delay the letter; I should wish her to have it before nightfall, for she thinks anxiously of me.' 'I go.

When may I again speak with you ?' 'You shall hear when I am at leisure.' Basil despatched his servant to Cumae not with one letter only, but with two.

Greatly daring, he had himself written to Veranilda; in brief terms, but every word tremulous with his passion.

And for half an hour he stood watching the sail which wafted his messenger over the gulf, ruffled to-day by a south-west wind, driver of clouds.