Brave men both, we may presently fight side by side.
Let us sit at table together, and then good-speed!' With a haughty glare Venantius heard this dismissal.

A reply surged into his throat, but he swallowed it again, remembering that more than his personal safety was at stake.
'You will pardon me, lord,' he replied, 'if I do not stay to break my fast.

I am of impatient humour, and never willingly linger when a journey is before me.' 'As you will,' said Chorsoman, with a slight knitting of his brows.
'You ride alone, I suppose ?' 'The lord Basil, who starts for Rome, will give me his company as far as our ways are one.' Chorsoman gave a glance at the soldiers in his rear, then at Marcian, and smiled grimly.
'I fear you must go without lord Basil.

I shall have need of him.' There was a very short silence; then Marcian spoke, with bland decision.
'Commander, this cannot be.

Basil carries letters of urgency to Rome and Ravenna; letters which I would not intrust to any one else.