'Let us find some more suitable place.' They descended the dark, foul stairs, and went out together.

Before the house stood the two serving-men, who, as their masters walked away, followed at a respectful distance.

When safe from being overheard, Basil recounted to his friend the course of events at the Surrentine villa since Marcian's departure, made known his suspicion that Aurelia had secretly returned to the Catholic faith.

He then told of to day's journey and its purpose, his hearer wearing a look of grave attention.
'Can it be,' asked Marcian, 'that you think of wedding this Gothic beauty ?' 'Assuredly,' answered Basil, with a laugh, 'I have thought of it.' 'And it looks as though Aurelia favoured your desire.' 'It has indeed something of that appearance.' 'Pray you now, dear lord,' said Marcian, 'be sober awhile.

Have you reflected that, with such a wife, you would not dare return to Rome ?' Basil had not regarded that aspect of the matter, but his friend's reasoning soon brought him to perceive the danger he would lightly have incurred.