'She sees me now; and my hope, your strength and goodness, bring new joy to her in the life eternal.' 'Say the word I wait for--whisper low--the word of all words.' 'Out of my soul, O Basil, I love you!' As the sound trembled into silence, his lips touched hers.

In the golden shadow of her hair, the lily face flushed warm; yet she did not veil her eyes, vouchers of a life's loyalty.
When Aurelia entered the room again, she walked as though absorbed in thought.
'Decius tells me he must soon go to Rome,' were her words, in drawing near to the lovers.
Basil had heard of no such purpose.

His kinsman, under the will of Maximus, enjoyed a share in the annual revenue of this Surrentine estate; moreover, he became the possessor of many books, which lay in the Anician mansion of Rome, and it was his impatience, thought Aurelia, to lay hands upon so precious a legacy, which might at any time be put in danger by the events of the war, that prompted him to set forth.
'Might he not perform the duty you have undertaken ?' she added in a lower voice, as she met Basil's look.
Veranilda did not speak, but an anxious hope dawned in her face.

And Basil saw it.
'Have you spoken of it, cousin ?' he asked.
'The thought has but just come to me.' 'Decius is not in good health.

Thus late in the year, to travel by sea--Yet the weather may be fair, the sea still; and then it would be easier for him than the journey by land.' Basil spoke in a halting tone.