To this had Rome fallen; and not one of her sons who dared to rise against so foul a servitude! 'Have patience, cousin,' Basil whispered, bidding her with a glance beware of the nearest boatman.

'There are some who will not grieve if Totila--' 'No more than that?
To stand, and look on, and play the courtier to whichever may triumph!' Basil muttered with himself.

He wished he had been bred a soldier instead of growing to manhood in an age when the nobles of Rome were held to inglorious peace, their sole career that of the jurist And Aurelia, brooding, saw him involved beyond recall in her schemes of vengeance.
The purple evening fell about them, an afterglow of sunset trembling upon the violet sea.

Above the heights of Capreae a star began to glimmer; and lo, yonder from behind the mountains rose the great orb of the moon.

They were in the harbour at last, but had to wait on board until a messenger could go to the village and a conveyance arrive.