He could not without a certain shame think of revoking his promise to Petronilla, a very distinct promise, in which natural obligation had part.

Yet the thought of the journey, of an absence from Veranilda, not without peril of many kinds, grew terrible to him.

He looked at Veranilda again, and smiled encouragement.
The lady Petronilla had been wont to dine and sup in dignified publicity, seated on the _sigma_, in the room which had seen so many festivals, together with her male relatives and any guest who might be at the villa; in her presence, no man permitted himself the recumbent attitude, which indeed had been unusual save among the effeminate.

But Aurelia and her companion took their meals apart.

This evening, Basil and Decius supped almost in silence, each busy with his reflections.
They lingered over the wine, their attendants having left them, until Decius, as if rousing himself from a dream, asked how long it was likely to be before the ship could sail.