Page:Veranilda, by George Gissing, 1904.djvu/57

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TOCUMAE 41

'While ye have the light, believe in the light, that yc may be the children of light.' She brooded, but in the end seemed to find solace.

Basil was absent all day. On his return, just before sunset, Aurelia met him in the atrium, heard the report of what he had done, and at length asked whether, on the day after to-morrow, he could go to Cumae 'To Cumae?' exclaimed Basil. 'Ay, that I can! You are returning thither?' ' For a day only. I go to seek that which no one but myself can find.'

The listener had no difficulty in understanding this ; it meant, of course, treasure concealed in the house Aurelia had long inhabited.

'We must both go and return by sea,' said Aurelia, 'even though it cause us delay. I have no mind to pass through Neapolis.' 'Be it so. The sky will be calm when this storm has passed. Shall you return,' said Basil, ' alone ? '

' Alone ? Do you purpose to forsake me ? '

' Think better of my manners, cousin — and more shrewdly of my meaning.'

  • You mean fairly, I trust ? ' she returned, looking him

steadily in the face.

'Nay,' cried the young man vehemently, 'if I have any thought other than honest, may I perish before I ever again behold her ! '

Aurelia's gaze softened.

'It is well,' she said ; 'we will speak again to-morrow.'

That night Petronilla kept vigil in the church of Surrentum, Basil and Decius relieving her an hour before dawn. At the funeral service, which began soon after sunrise, the greater part of the townsfolk attended. All were eager to see whether the daughter of Maximus would be present, for many rumours were rife touching Aurelia, some declaring that she had returned to the true faith, some that she remained obstinate in heresy. Her failure to appear did not set the

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