Their talk died to a vague murmur till presently the harsher voice rose above the silence.
"Well, then, my Lord Basil, if these matters be as you say,—if you will use your good offices with the Lady Theodora—"
"Can you doubt my sincerity—my desire to promote your interests—even to the detriment of my own?"
His companion spat viciously.
"He who sups with the devil must needs have a long spoon. What is to be your share?"
"Your meaning is not quite clear, my lord."
"Naught for naught!" Roger snarled viciously. "Shall we say—the price of your services?"
"My lord," piped Basil with an injured air, "you wrong me deeply. It is but my interest in you, my desire to see you reconciled to your beautiful wife—"
"How know you she is beautiful?" came the snarling reply.
"I, too, was an unseen witness of your meeting at the Arch of the Seven Candles," Basil replied suavely.