'None! I have shrunk ever from the sight of her.'

'Such abhorrence of error witnesses to the purity and the
illumination of your soul: I could have expected nothing less from
Petronilla. You know not whether the misguided woman shows any
disposition to return to the true faith?'

'I fear not,' replied Petronilla, looking rather as if the fear were
a hope. 'Her nature is stubborn: she has the pride of the fallen
angels.'

'And her father, I am afraid, has no longer the strength to treat
her sin with due severity?'

'Earthly affection has subdued him,' replied the lady, shaking her
head. 'Who knows,' she added, 'how far his weakness may lead my poor
brother?'

She glanced about the hall, and Leander perfectly understood what
was in her mind.

'Be not over anxious,' he replied soothingly. 'Leave this in my
hands. Should it be necessary, I can dispose of some days before
pursuing my journey. Take comfort, noble and pious lady! The truth
will prevail.'

The deacon's first step was to obtain a private interview with the
physician. He then made known his desire to wait upon Maximus, and
with no great delay was admitted. Tactfully, sagaciously, he drew
the sufferer to confide in him, to see in him, not so much a