The death of Muscula set him quivering with expectancy9. That it resulted from his plotting he could not be assured. Sagaris, who wore a more than usually self-important air when speaking of the event, had all manner of inconsistent reports on his tongue Not many days passed before Marcian received a letter, worded like an ordinary invitation, summoning him to the house on the Quirinal.
He went at the third hour of the morning, and was this time led upstairs to a long and wide gallery, which at one side looked down upon the garden in the rear of the house, and at the other offered a view over a great part of Rome. Here was an aviary10, constructed of fine lattice work in wood, over-trailed with creeping plants, large enough to allow of Heliodora’s entering and walking about among the multitude of birds imprisoned11. At this amusement Marcian found her. Upon her head perched a little songster; on her shoulder nestled a dove; two fledglings in the palm of her hand opened their beaks12 for food. Since her last visit a bird had died, and Heliodora’s eyes were still moist from the tears she had shed over it.
‘You do not love birds,’ she said, after gazing fixedly13 at Marcian a moment through the trellis.
‘I never thought,’ was the reply, ‘whether I loved them or not.’
‘I had rather give my love to them than to any of mankind. They repay it better.’
She came forth15, carefully closed the wicket behind her, and began to pace in the gallery as though she were alone. Presently she stood to gaze over the city spread before her, and her eyes rested upon the one vast building—so it seemed—which covered the Palatine Hill.
‘Marcian!’
He drew near. Without looking at him, her eyes still on the distance, she said in an unimpassioned voice:
‘Did you lie to me, or were you yourself deceived?’
‘Lady, I know not of what you speak.’
‘You know well.’ Her dark eyes flashed a glance of rebuke16, and turned scornfully away again. ‘But it matters nothing. I sent for you to ask what more you have to say.’
Marcian affected17 surprise and embarrassment18.
‘It was my hope, gracious lady, that some good news awaited me on your lips. What can I say more than you have already heard from me?’
‘Be it so,’ was the careless reply. ‘I have nothing to tell you except that Veranilda is not there.’ She pointed19 towards the palace. ‘And this I have no doubt you know.’
‘Believe me, O Heliodora,’ he exclaimed earnestly, ‘I did not. I was perhaps misled by—’
Her eyes checked him.
‘By whom?’
‘By one who seemed to speak with honesty and assurance.’
‘Let us say, then, that you were misled; whether deceived or not, concerns only yourself. And so, lord Marcian, having done what I can for you, though it be little, I entreat20 your kind remembrance, and God keep you.’
Her manner had changed to formal courtesy, and, with this dismissal, she moved away again. Marcian stood watching her for a moment, then turned to look at the wide prospect21. A minute or two passed; he heard Heliodora’s step approaching.
‘What keeps you here?’ she asked coldly.
‘Lady, I am thinking.’
‘Of what?’
‘Of the day soon to come when Totila will be king in Rome.’
Heliodora’s countenance22 relaxed in a smile.
‘Yet you had nothing more to say to me,’ she murmured in a significant tone.
‘There were much to say, Heliodora, to one whom I knew my friend. I had dared to think you so.’
‘What proof of friendship does your Amiability23 ask?’ inquired the lady with a half-mocking, half-earnest look.
As if murmuring to himself, Marcian uttered the name ‘Veranilda.’
‘They say she is far on the way to Constantinople,’ said Heliodora. ‘If so, and if Bessas sent her, his craft is greater than I thought. For I have spoken with him, and’—she smiled—‘he seems sincere when he denied all knowledge of the maiden.’
Marcian still gazed at the distance. Again he spoke24 as if unconsciously murmuring his thoughts:
‘Totila advances. In Campania but a few towns still await his conquest. The Appian Way is open. Ere summer be past he will stand at the gates of Rome.’
‘Rome is not easily taken,’ let fall the listener, also speaking as though absently.
‘It is more easily surrendered,’ was the reply.
‘What! You suspect Bessas of treachery?’
‘We know him indolent and neglectful of duty. Does he not live here at his ease, getting into his own hands, little by little, all the wealth of the Romans, careless of what befall if only he may glut25 his avarice26? He will hold the city as long as may be, only because the city is his possession. He is obstinate27, bull-headed. Yet if one were found who could persuade him that the cause of the Greeks is hopeless—that, by holding out to the end, he will merely lose all, whereas, if he came to terms—’
Marcian was watching Heliodora’s face. He paused. Their eyes met for an instant.
‘Who can be assured,’ asked Heliodora thoughtfully, ‘that Totila will triumph? They say the Patricius will come again.’
‘Too late. Not even Belisarius can undo28 the work of Alexandros and these devouring29 captains. From end to end of Italy, the name of the Greeks is abhorred30; that of Totila is held in honour. He will renew the kingdom of Theodoric.’
Marcian saw straight before him the aim of all his intrigue31. It was an aim unselfish, patriotic32. Though peril33 of the gravest lay in every word he uttered, not this made him tremble, but the fear lest he had miscalculated, counting too securely on his power to excite this woman’s imagination. For as yet her eye did not kindle34. It might be that she distrusted herself, having learnt already that Bessas was no easy conquest. Or it might be that he himself was the subject of her distrust.
‘What is it to you?’ she suddenly asked, with a fierce gaze. ‘Can the Goth bring Veranilda back to Italy?’
‘I do not believe that she has gone.’
Marcian had knowledge enough of women, and of Heliodora, to harp35 on a personal desire rather than hint at high motive36. But he was impelled37 by the turmoil38 of his fears and hopes to excite passions larger than jealousy39. Throwing off all restraint, he spoke with hot eloquence40 of all that might be gained by one who could persuade the Greek commander to open the gates of Rome. Totila was renowned41 for his generosity42, and desired above all things to reconcile, rather than subdue43, the Roman people; scarce any reward would seem to him too great for service such as helped this end.
‘Bessas lies before you. Ply14 your spells; make of him your creature; then whisper in his ear such promise of infinite gold as will make his liver melt. For him the baser guerdon; for you, O Heliodora, all the wishes of your noble heart, with power, power, power and glory unspeakable!’
Heliodora pondered. Then, without raising her head, she asked quietly:
‘You speak for the King?’
‘For the King,’ was answered in like tone.
‘Come to me again, Marcian, when I have had time for thought.’
With that they parted. On the same day, Sagaris was bidden as before to a meeting after nightfall, and again he conversed44 with a lady whose face was concealed46 from him. She began with a gentle reproof47, for he had ventured to present himself at her door, and to beg audience. Let him be patient; his hour would come, but it must be when she chose. Many questions did she put to him, all seeming to be prompted by interest in the Gothic maiden of whom Sagaris had heard so much. With the simplicity48 of inordinate49 conceit50, he assured her that here she had no ground for jealousy; Veranilda he had never beheld51. Softly she corrected his error; her interest in the maiden was a friendly one. Only let him discover for her where Veranilda was concealed. Sagaris was led to avow52 that in this very search he and his master had been vainly occupied for many a day; it had carried them, he declared in a whisper, even to the camp of King Totila. With this the questioner appeared to be satisfied, and the Syrian was soon dismissed, promises in a caressing53 voice his sole reward.
When Marcian next held speech with Heliodora—it was after some days—she bore herself more openly. In the course of their talk, he learnt that she had consulted an astrologer, and with results wholly favourable54 to his design. Not only had this man foretold55 to her that Totila was destined56 to reign57 gloriously over the Italians for many years, but he saw in Heliodora’s own fate a mysterious link with that of the triumphant58 king; her, under the Gothic conquest, great things awaited. ‘Do,’ was his counsel, ‘that which thou hast in mind.’ Hearing all this, Marcian’s heart leaped with joy. He urged her to pursue their end with all the speed that prudence59 permitted. For his own part, he would make known to Totila as soon as might be the hope of his friends in Rome.
Again some days passed, and Marcian received one of those messages which at times reached him from the Gothic king. Totila’s bidding was contained in a few words: Let Marcian seek speech with the deacon Leander. Surprised, but having full confidence in the messenger, Marcian presently wrote to the deacon in brief terms, saying that he wished to converse45 with him regarding a certain heretic of whom he had hopes. To this came prompt reply, which did not, however, invite Marcian, as he had expected, to a meeting in private; but merely said that, on the morrow, an hour after sunrise, Leander would be found in a certain public place.
Leander was busied just now in a matter peculiarly congenial to him, the destruction of an ancient building in order to enrich with its columns and precious marbles a new Christian60 church. At the hour appointed, Marcian found him in the temple of Minerva Chalcidica, directing workmen as to what they should remove; before him lay certain mouldings in green porphyry (the precious lapis Lacedaemonius), which had been carefully broken from their places, and he was regarding them with the eye of a lover. For the first few minutes of their conversation, Marcian felt mistrust, as the deacon appeared to have no intelligence of any secret purpose in this meeting; but presently, still gossiping of stones, Leander led him out of the temple and walked in the shadowy public place beside the Pantheon.
‘That must be purified and consecrated,’ he remarked, glancing from the granite61 columns of Agrippa’s porch to the bronze-tiled dome62. ‘Too long it has been left to the demons63.’
Marcian, preoccupied64 as he was, listened with awe65. Since the ravage66 of the Vandals, no mortal had passed those vast doors, behind which all the gods of heathendom, known now for devils, lurked67 in retreat.
‘I have urged it upon the Holy Father,’ Leander added. ‘But Vigilius is all absorbed in the dogmatics of Byzantium. A frown of the Empress Theodora is more to him than the glory of the Omnipotent68 and the weal of Christendom.’
The look which accompanied these words was the first hint to Marcian that he might speak in confidence. He inquired whether the Pope, as was reported, would shortly sail for Constantinople.
‘Before another week has passed,’ was the reply, ‘he will embark69. He would fain go forth’—a malicious70 smile was in the corner of Leander’s eye—‘without leave-taking of his beloved people but that can scarce be permitted.’
‘Ere he return,’ said Marcian, ‘things of moment may happen.’
Again the deacon smiled. Seeing on the steps of the Pantheon a couple of idlers playing at flash-finger, they turned aside to be out of earshot.
‘We are agreed, it seems,’ remarked Leander quickly, ‘that there is hope of the heretic. You had news of him yesterday? I, also. It may be in my power to render him some service—presently, presently. Meanwhile, what can you tell me of the lost maiden about whom there has been so much talk? Is it true that Bessas has sent her to the East?’
Marcian turned his eyes upon the speaker’s face, and regarded him fixedly with a half smile. For a moment the deacon appeared to be unconscious of this; then he met the familiar look, averted71 his head again, and said in the same tone as before:
‘The heretic, I learn, would gladly see her.’
‘It would be as well, I think,’ was the reply, ‘if his wish were gratified.’
‘Ah? But how would that please a friend of yours, dear lord?’ asked Leander, with unaffected interest.
Marcian’s answer was in a tone of entire sincerity72, very unlike that he had used when speaking on this subject with Heliodora.
‘It might please him well or ill. The King’—he lowered his voice a little—‘would see with gladness this beautiful maiden of his own people, sprung too from the royal blood, and would look with favour upon those who delivered her in safety to him. Should he make her his queen, and I believe she is worthy73 of that, the greater his gratitude74 to those who prevented her marriage with a Roman. If, on the other hand, he found that she could not forget her first lover, Totila is large-hearted enough to yield her up in all honour, and politic75 enough to see advantage in her union with the heir of the Anician house. Between these things, Basil must take his chance. Had he carried off his love, he would have wedded76 her in disregard of every danger; and so long as it was only the Greeks that sought her, I should have done my best to aid and to protect him. It is different now. Basil I hold dearer than any friend; his place is in my very heart, and his happiness is dearer to me than my own; but I cannot help him to frustrate77 a desire of Totila. The King is noble; to serve him is to promote the weal of Italy, for which he fights, and in which name he will conquer.’
The deacon had paused in his walk. He looked thoughtfully about him. At this moment there came along the street an ox-drawn wagon78, on which lay the marble statue of a deity79; Leander stepped up to it, examined the marble, spoke with the men who were conveying it, and returned to Marcian with a shake of the head.
‘It pains me to see such carven beauty burnt to lime. And yet how many thousands of her worshippers are now burning in Gehenna. Lord Marcian,’ he resumed, ‘you have spoken earnestly and well, and have given me good proof of your sincerity. I think with you, and willingly would work with you.’
‘Reverend, does no opportunity present itself?’
‘In this moment, none that I can see,’ was the suave80 answer.
‘Yet I perceive that you have made some offer of service to the King.’
‘It is true; and perchance you shall hear more of it. Be not impatient; great things are not hastily achieved.’
With sundry81 other such remarks, so uttered that their triteness82 seemed to become the maturity83 of wisdom, Leander brought the colloquy84 to an end. It was his principle to trust no man unless he were assured of a motive strong enough to make him trustworthy, and that motive he had not yet discovered in Marcian. Nor, indeed, was he entirely85 sure of himself; for though he had gone so far as to communicate with the Gothic king, it was only in view of possibilities whose issue he still awaited. If the Pope set forth for Constantinople, he would leave as representative in Rome the deacon Pelagius, and from this brother cleric Leander had already received certain glances, which were not to be misunderstood. The moment might shortly come when he would need a friend more powerful than any he had within the city.
But Vigilius lingered, and Leander, save in his influence with the irresolute86 Pontiff, postponed87 the step he had in view.
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1
exorbitant
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| adj.过分的；过度的 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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guardianship
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| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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expectancy
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| n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额 | |
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aviary
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| n.大鸟笼，鸟舍 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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beaks
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| n.鸟嘴( beak的名词复数 )；鹰钩嘴；尖鼻子；掌权者 | |
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fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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17
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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amiability
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| n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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glut
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| n.存货过多，供过于求；v.狼吞虎咽 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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28
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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abhorred
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| v.憎恶( abhor的过去式和过去分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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40
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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43
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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46
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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47
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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48
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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49
inordinate
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| adj.无节制的；过度的 | |
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50
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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51
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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52
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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53
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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54
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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55
foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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57
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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58
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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59
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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60
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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61
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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64
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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65
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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ravage
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| vt.使...荒废，破坏...；n.破坏，掠夺，荒废 | |
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67
lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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omnipotent
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| adj.全能的，万能的 | |
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69
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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frustrate
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| v.使失望；使沮丧；使厌烦 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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82
triteness
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| n.平凡，陈腐 | |
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83
maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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colloquy
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| n.谈话，自由讨论 | |
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85
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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86
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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