‘Oh, look at little Vivian!’ cried Muscula.  ’He has the eyes of an angry rat.  What vexes him?  Is it because he saw Basil touch Heliodora’s slipper?’

‘If I had!’ sputtered the boy.  ‘By the devil, if I had!’

‘Oh, he affrights me!’ went on the mocking woman.  ’Heliodora, stroke his curls, and give him a kiss, I beseech you.  Who knows what dreadful thing may happen else?’

‘I have had enough of this,’ said Gall a, rising with a careless laugh.  ’Your house has been intolerable, most dear Heliodora, since you made friends with Muscula.  Why you did, I’m sure I don’t know; but for my part I take a respectful leave, noble lady, until I hear that this mouse of the Palatine has ceased to amuse you with its pretty pranks.  May I never be saved if she is fit company for women who respect themselves.’

‘Why such hurry, O chaste Galla!’ exclaimed Muscula.  ’Is your husband at home for once?  I can answer for it he is not there very often; the wiser man he.’

‘Slap her face, Galla,’ cried Vivian.  ’At her!  She will run before you.’

Galla moved as if to act upon this advice, but the voice of Heliodora, peremptory, resonant, checked her step.

’None of that!  Get you gone, both of you, and try conclusions if you will in the open street.  Off!  Pack!  By the Virgin Mother, if you linger I will have you flung out of doors.’

In her amazement and indignation, Galla rose to the tips of her feet.

‘This to me!’ she screamed.  ’To me, the only woman of noble birth and honest life who still remained your friend!  Wanton! witch! poisoner!’

Basil sprang up and walked aside, overcome with shame at the scene enacted before him, and fearing it would end in ignoble violence.  He heard Muscula’s shriek of laughter, a shout of anger from Vivian, and the continued railing of Galla; then, ere he had taken a dozen steps, a hand touched him, and Heliodora’s voice sounded low at his ear.

’You are right, dear Basil.  Only an accident prevented me from being alone at your hour.  Forgive me.  We will go apart from these base-tongued creatures.’

But almost in the same moment sounded another voice, that of Muscula, who had sprung after them.

‘Sweet lord Basil,’ she murmured at his ear, ’a moment’s patience, for I have that to say which is worth your hearing.’

Heliodora stepped aside.  Pale with fury, she held herself in an attitude of contemptuous indifference.

‘Speak and have done!’ exclaimed Basil harshly.

’But a word, Illustrious.  I know well why you are here.  Not for this woman’s painted cheeks and essence-soaked hair:  you had enough of that long ago.  You come because she pretends to know a secret which concerns you nearly.  It was to discover this secret that she sought friendship with me.  But do not imagine, sweet lord, that I tell all I know to Heliodora.  I have played with her curiosity and fooled her.  From me she has learnt nothing true.  Even if she desired to tell you the truth—­and be sure she does not—­she could only mislead you.’