'O, nobly confident in those you love! Never did man so merit love in return .-- Do as you will.
In a few days I shall again visit you at Surrentum, and perchance bring news that may give us matter for talk.' From a portico hard by there approached a beggar, a filthy and hideous cripple, who, with whining prayer, besought alms.

Marcian from his wallet took a copper coin, and, having glanced at it, drew Basil's attention.
'Look,' said he, smiling oddly, 'at the image and the superscription.' It was a coin of Vitiges, showing a helmeted bust of the goddess of the city, with legend '_Invicta Roma_.' '_Invicta Roma_,' muttered Basil sadly, with head bent.
Meanwhile, out of earshot of their masters, the two servants conversed with not less intimacy.

At a glance these men were seen to be of different races.

Felix, aged some five and thirty, could boast of free birth; he was the son of a curial--that is to say, municipal councillor--of Arpinum, who had been brought to ruin, like so many of his class in this age, by fiscal burdens, the curiales being responsible for the taxes payable by their colleagues, as well as for the dues on any estate in their district which might be abandoned, and, in brief, for whatsoever deficiencies of local revenue.

Gravity and sincerity appeared in his countenance; he seldom smiled, spoke in a subdued voice, and often kept his eyes on the ground; but his service was performed with rare conscientiousness, and he had often given proof of affection for his master.