Marcian, having spoken with the porter, waited till a thundering at the gate announced Chorsoman's arrival, then had the doors thrown open, and stood with a calm smile to meet the commander.
'Fair greeting to your Magnificence!' he began with courtesy.

'Be welcome to this villa, where, in absence of its mistress, I take upon myself to offer you hospitality.' Chorsoman had dismounted, and stood with half a dozen of his followers behind him in the portico.

At sight of Marcian his face became suspicious.
'By mistress,' he replied gruffly, stepping forward, 'I suppose you mean the daughter of Maximus.

Where is she ?' Marcian would have continued the conversation within, but the Hun chose to remain standing in the for-court, the gate wide open.

From the Surrentines he had already heard the story of Aurelia's disappearance, which puzzled and angered him, for no one professed to be able to explain what had happened, yet his informants declared that the Roman lady and the Gothic maiden had been carried away without the knowledge of the men who were their protectors.