It seemed probable that a report of Veranilda's beauty had reached Matasuntha, who wished to adorn her retinue with so fair a remnant of the Amal race.

How, he went on to ask, would Marcian excuse himself at Rome for his failure to perform this office?
'Leave that to my ingenuity,' was the reply.

'Enough for you to dare defiance of the Emperor's will.' Basil made a scornful gesture, which his friend noted with the same melancholy smile.
'You have no misgiving ?' said Marcian.

'Think who it is you brave.
Imperator Caesar Flavius Justinianus--Africanus, Gothicus, Germanicus, Vandalicus, and I know not what else--Pius, Felix, Inclytus, Victor ac Triumphator, Semper Augustus--' The other laid a hand upon his shoulder.
'Marcian, no word of this to Aurelia, I charge you!' 'I have no desire to talk about it, be assured.

But it is time that we understood each other.