spoke of the deacon Leander, now on his way hither--begged Aurelia
to listen to the reverend man, and gave solemn assurance that, the
moment she abjured her errors, he would place her in a position of
wealth and authority far above that of Petronilla. So utterly did he
exhaust himself in entreaty and argument that he fell into a
fainting fit. The physician was called for, and Aurelia, she too
overcome with violent emotions, again retired to the part of the
villa which had been assigned to her.

The Anicii of a bygone time, who took their solace here when marbles
and mosaics, paintings and tapestries, were yet new, would have
looked with consternation on halls so crumbling and bare, chambers
so ill-appointed, as these in which the guests of the Senator
Maximus had their dwelling. Space there was in abundance, but of
comfort in the guest-rooms little enough; and despite her brother's
commands, Petronilla had seen to it that Aurelia was not luxuriously
lodged. Better accommodation awaited the deacon Leander, whose
arrival was announced an hour before sunset by a trotting courier.
His journey from Salernum had so wearied the ecclesiastic that he
could but give a hand to be kissed by his hostess, and straightway
retire into privacy; the repast that was ready for him had to be
served beside his couch, and soon after night had fallen, Leander
slumbered peacefully. Meanwhile Basil and Decius and their friend
from Rome had supped together, making what cheer they might under
the circumstances; the Surrentine wine was a little acrid, falling
short of its due age, but it sufficed to animate the talk. Presently
Decius withdrew, to study or to meditate through some hours of the
night, for he slept ill; the others, going apart to a gallery
lighted by the full moon, sat wrapped in thick, hooded cloaks, to
converse awhile before they slept. With their voices mingled the