‘What, then,’ asked Aurelia, ’was the message you said you bore for me?’

’This.  Though I myself have no power to perform the sacraments of our faith, I tend upon one who has.  He lies not far from here, like myself sick and weary, and, because of a vow, may not come within the precincts of any dwelling.  In Macedonia, oppressed by our persecutors, he was long imprisoned, and so sorely tormented that, in a moment when the Evil One prevailed over his flesh, he denied the truth.  This sin gave him liberty, but scarce had he come forth when a torment of the soul, far worse than that of his body, fell upon him.  He was delivered over to the Demon, and, being yet alive, saw about him the fires of Gehenna.  Thus, for a season, did he suffer things unspeakable, wandering in desert places, ahungered, athirst, faint unto death, yet not permitted to die.  One night of storm, he crept for shelter into the ruins of a heathen temple.  Of a sudden, a dreadful light shone about him, and he beheld the Demon in the guise of that false god, who fell upon him and seemed like to slay him.  But Sisinnius—­so is the holy man named—­strove in prayer and in conjuration, yea, strove hours until the crowing of the cock, and thus sank into slumber.  And while he slept, an angel of the Most High appeared before him, and spoke words which I know not.  Since then, Sisinnius wanders from land to land, seeking out the temples of the heathen which have not been purified, and passing the night in strife with the Powers of Darkness, wherein he is ever victorious.’

With intent look did Aurelia listen to this narrative.  At its close, she asked eagerly: 

‘This man of God has sent you to me?’

’Moved by a vision—­for in the sleep which follows upon his struggle it is often granted him to see beyond this world.  He bids you resist temptation, and be of good courage.’

‘Know you what this bidding means?’ inquired the awed woman, gazing into the monk’s eyes till they fell.

’I know nothing.  I am but a follower of the holy Sisinnius—­an unworthy follower.’

‘May I not speak with him?’

The monk had a troubled look.

’I have told you, lady, that he must not, by reason of his vow, enter a human dwelling.’

‘But may I not go to him?’ she urged.  ’May I not seek him in his solitude, guided by you?’

To this, said the monk, he could give no reply until he had spoken with Sisinnius.  He promised to do so, and to return, though he knew not at what hour, nor even whether it would be this day.  And, after demanding many assurances that he would come again as speedily as might be, Aurelia allowed the messenger to depart.

Meanwhile Basil and Marcian have spent an hour in talk, the result of which was a decision that Marcian should again repair to the stronghold of Venantius, and persuade him to come over t6 Surrentum.  When his friend had ridden forth Basil sought conversation with Aurelia, whom he found in a mood unlike any she had yet shown to him, a mood of dreamy trouble, some suppressed emotion appearing in her look and in her speech.  He began by telling her of Venantius, but this seemed to interest her less than he had expected.