He should see Veranilda ere long.

But there was yet something to be spoken of.
'Have you forgotten that she is not of your faith ?' 'Do I love her, adore her, the less ?' exclaimed Basil.

'Does she shrink from me on that account ?' 'I know,' pursued his cousin, 'what the Apostle of the Gentiles has said: "For the husband who believes not is sanctified by the wife, and the wife who believes not is sanctified by the husband." None the less, Veranilda is under the menace of the Roman law; and you, if it be known that you have wedded her, will be in peril from all who serve the Emperor--at least in dark suspicion; and will be slightly esteemed by all of our house.' The lover paced about, and all at once, with a wild gesture, uttered his inmost thought.
'What if I care naught for those of our house?
And what if the Emperor of the East is of as little account to me?
My country is not Byzantium, but Rome.' Aurelia hushed his voice, but her eyes shone with stern gladness as she stood before him, and took him by the hand, and spoke what he alone could hear.
'Then unite yourself in faith with those who would make Rome free.

Be one in religion with the brave Goths--with Veranilda.' He cast down his eyes and drew a deep breath.
'I scarce know what that religion is, O Aurelia,' came from him stammeringly.

'I am no theologian; I never cared to puzzle my head about the mysteries which men much wiser than I declare to pass all human understanding.