CHAPTER IX.
CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.
Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.

An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

Then a footstep approached, and he saw the slave whose watch he had relieved come forward with so strange a look that Basil could only stare at him.
'My lord,' said the man, 'there is one at the gate of the villa who brings I know not what news for you.' 'One at the gate?
News ?' echoed Basil, his heart sinking with dread anticipation.