‘My good, my excellent, my very dear Decius!’ broke from the listener.  ‘But would it not be with risk to your health?’

’I would beg permission not to weigh anchor in a tempest, that’s all.  The sea in its gentler moods I have never feared, and alcyoneum medicamen, you know, in other words the sea-foam, has always been recommended for freckles.’

He touched his face, which was in deed much freckle-spotted, and Basil, whose spirits rose each moment, gave a good-natured laugh.

‘One thing only,’ added Decius seriously.  ’Inasmuch as this charge is a grave one, I would not undertake it without the consent of the ladies Aurelia and Petronilla.  Perchance, in respect for the honoured Maximus, they would feel reluctant to see me take your place.’

‘O modest Decius!’ exclaimed the other.  ’Which, pray, carries the more dignity, your name or mine?—­not to speak of your learning and my ignorance.  As to Aurelia, I can ease your mind at once.  She would not dream of objecting.’

’Then let us, to-morrow, beg audience of the pious lady at Surrentum, and request her permission.’

The proposal made Basil uncomfortable; but a visit of respect to Petronilla was certainly due, and perhaps it would pass without troublesome incident.  He nodded assent.

Early on the morrow they carried out their purpose.  To the surprise of both, Petronilla received them in her modest abode not ungraciously, though with marked condescension; she gave them to understand that her days, and much of her nights, passed in religious exercises, the names of her kinsfolk not being omitted from her prayers; of the good bishop she spoke almost tenderly, and with a humble pride related that she had been able to ease a persistent headache from which his Sanctity suffered.  When Basil found an opportunity of reporting what had passed between him and Decius, the lady’s austere smile was for a moment clouded; it looked as though storm might follow.  But the smile returned, with perhaps a slightly changed significance.  Did Basil think of remaining long at the villa?  Ah, he could not say; to be sure, the times were so uncertain.  For her own part, she would start on her journey as soon as the coffin was on board the ship.  Indeed, she saw no objection to the arrangement her dear nephew proposed; she only trusted that the learned and amiable Decius, so justly esteemed by all, would have a care of his health.  Did he still take the infusion of marjoram which she had prescribed for him?  A holy man, newly returned from the East, had deigned to visit her only yesterday, and had given her a small phial of water from Rebekah’s well; it was of priceless virtue, and one drop of it had last evening restored to health and strength a child that lay at the point of death.

In the afternoon Basil was again permitted to see Veranilda, though not alone.  To her and to Aurelia he made known that Decius would willingly undertake the voyage.  After lingering for an hour in the vain hope that Aurelia would withdraw, were it but for a moment, he went away and scratched ardent words on his tablet.  ’I will be in your garden,’ he concluded, ’just at sunrise to-morrow.  Try, try to meet me there.’