In the portico which led to the villa he heard his name shouted, and he knew the voice for Marcian's; another moment and Marcian himself appeared, pale, agitated.
'Why do you seek me ?' cried Basil.
'You come from yonder?
Have you seen Aurelia?
Then it is true.' Marcian told the news brought up from Surrentum by some person unknown, who, having uttered it in the porter's ear, had at once fled.
'Go call Venantius,' said Basil, when he had heard the brief story, 'and bring him straight to Aurelia's house.

They are gone; that slinking slave shall tell me how, or I will tear it out of him with his soul.' Back he rushed, and found the nurse still crouching on the floor, wailing.

He made her lead him to her lady's chamber, and to that of Veranilda, where nothing unusual met their eyes.

The watchman was then summoned; he came like one half dead, and smote the ground with his forehead before the young noble, who stood hand on dagger.

A fierce interrogatory elicited clear and truthful answers; when Basil learned what Aurelia had whispered to her servant as she went forth, he uttered a groan.
'Marcian! Venantius!' he cried, for at that moment the two entered the atrium.