'I understand why you stepped aside from the way of truth; I
perceive the obstacles hindering your return. I know the tender
impulses which urge you to soothe your father's last hours, and, no
less, the motives, natural to a woman of your beauty, of your birth,
which are at strife with that tenderness and threaten to overcome
it. Could you discover a means of yielding to your filial affection,
and at the same time safeguarding your noble pride, would you not
gladly use it? Such a means I can point out to you.'

He became silent, watching Aurelia. She, won by the perspicacity
which read her heart, had put aside all arrogance, and wore a look
of grave intentness.

'Let me know it,' she murmured.

'It is this. Return to the true belief, but guard awhile the secret
of your conversion. That it shall not be disclosed until you wish, I
can give you firm assurance--if need be, on solemn oath. You will
privately make known to your father that he has prevailed, thereby
you put his flesh and spirit at rest,--he will die blessing you,
and enriching you to the full extent of his desire. You will then
also set your signature to a paper, which I shall write, making
confession of the orthodox faith, and undertaking to be duly
reconciled with the church, by the imposition of hands, at some
convenient season. That is all that will be asked of you for the
present. The lady Petronilla'--he all but smiled in uttering the
name--'shall not even suspect what has happened.'

'Will this villa be mine?' asked the listener after brief