Perhaps this afternoon you could persuade him to forget his books for half an hour?
But let us speak, to begin with, of sad things which must needs occupy us.

Is it possible, yet, to know when the ship will sail for Rome ?' Aurelia meant, of course, the vessel which would convey her father's corpse, and the words cast gloom upon Basil, who had all but forgotten the duty that lay before him.

He answered that a week at least must pass before the sailing, and, as he spoke, kept his eyes upon Veranilda, whose countenance--or so it seemed to him--had become graver, perhaps a little sad.
'Is it your purpose to stay long in Rome ?' was Aurelia's next question, toned with rather excessive simplicity.
'To stay long ?' exclaimed Basil.

'How can you think it?
Perchance I shall not even enter the city.

At Portus, I may resign my duty into other hands, and so straightway return.' There was a conflict in Aurelia's mind.