'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 pointed 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 entreat 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 prospect. A minute or two passed; he heard Heliodora's step approaching.
'What keeps you here?' she asked coldly.
'Lady, I am thinking.'