the donations which Leander had since accepted from her on behalf of
the Church. In return, he had once or twice rejoiced her with the
gift of a precious relic, such as came into the hands of few below
royal rank; thus had Petronilla obtained the filings of the chain of
St. Peter, which, enclosed in a golden key, hung upon her bosom.
Some day, as the deacon well knew, this pious virgin would beg him
to relieve her of all her earthly possessions, and enter into some
holy retreat; but she awaited the death of her brother, by whose
will she would doubtless benefit more or less substantially.

If in view of the illness of Maximus, Petronilla had regarded the
deacon's visit as providential, the event of yesterday moved her to
a more agitated thankfulness for the conference she was about to
enjoy. After a night made sleepless by dread and wrath, she rose at
daybreak and passed in a fever of impatience the time which elapsed
before her reverend guest issued from his chamber. This being the
fourth day of the week, Petronilla held rigid fast until the hour of
nones; and of course no refreshment was offered to the churchman,
who, with that smiling placidity, that graceful self-possession,
which ever distinguished him in such society, at length entered the
inner hall, and suavely, almost tenderly, greeted his noble hostess.
Brimming over as she was with anxiety and indignation, Petronilla
allowed nothing of this to appear in her reception of the revered
friend. To his inquiries touching the health of the Senator, she
replied with significant gravity that Maximus had suffered during
the night, and was this morning, by the physician's report, much
weaker; she added not a word on the momentous subject presently to
be broached. Then Leander, after viewing with many compliments a
piece of rich embroidery which occupied the lady's leisure, and or
its completion would of course be put at his disposal, took a seat,