I looked forward to a day when we might quit Cumae and live in freedom where we would.

Then something unforeseen befell.

Half a year ago, just when the air of spring began to breathe into that dark, chill house, a distant kinsman of ours, who has long dwelt in Byzantium--do you know Olybrius, the son of Probinus ?' 'I have heard his name.' 'He came to me, as if from my father; but I soon discovered that he had another mission, his main purpose being to seek for Veranilda.

By whom sent, I could not learn; but he told me that Ebrimut was dead, and that his son, Veranilda's only brother, was winning glory in the war with the Persians.

For many days I lived in fear lest my pearl should be torn from me.