But your prudence, is that as little beyond doubt ?' 'I have thought long and well,' said Basil.
Aurelia regarded him steadily.
'You spoke with her in the garden just now.

Did she reply ?' 'But few words.

She asked me if I knew her origin, and blushed as she spoke.' 'It is her wish that I should tell you; and I will.' Scarce had Aurelia begun her narrative, when Basil perceived that his own conjecture, and that of Marcian, had hit the truth.

Veranilda was a great-grandchild of Amalafrida, the sister of King Theodoric, being born of the daughter of King Theodahad; and her father was that Ebrimut, whose treachery at the beginning of the great war delivered Rhegium into the hands of the Greeks.

Her mother, Theodenantha, a woman of noble spirit, scorned the unworthy Goth, and besought the conqueror to let her remain in Italy, even as a slave, rather than share with such a husband the honours of the Byzantine court.