Marcian still gazed at the distance.  Again he spoke 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 glut his avarice?  He will hold the city as long as may be, only because the city is his possession.  He is obstinate, 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 undo the work of Alexandros and these devouring captains.  From end to end of Italy, the name of the Greeks is abhorred; that of Totila is held in honour.  He will renew the kingdom of Theodoric.’

Marcian saw straight before him the aim of all his intrigue.  It was an aim unselfish, patriotic.  Though peril 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 kindle.  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 harp on a personal desire rather than hint at high motive.  But he was impelled by the turmoil of his fears and hopes to excite passions larger than jealousy.  Throwing off all restraint, he spoke with hot eloquence of all that might be gained by one who could persuade the Greek commander to open the gates of Rome.  Totila was renowned for his generosity, and desired above all things to reconcile, rather than subdue, the Roman people; scarce any reward would seem to him too great for service such as helped this end.

’Bessas lies before you.  Ply 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!’