' In the
name of both saints Leander took his oath of secrecy. Petronilla was
of course aware that the deacon had been admitted to audience by her
niece. When he descended, she awaited him at the end of the portico,
and her look questioned him.
'Stubborn, stubborn!' murmured Leander, shaking his head, and passed
on as though in troubled thought.
Later in the day, when she had seen her father, Aurelia made known
to her cousin Basil, who had requested an interview, that he might
come. His cousin received him smilingly, almost affectionately.
Marcian having this morning taken his leave, called away by some
unexplained business to Neapolis, Basil had been on the point of
taking Decius into his amorous confidence, when this summons
rejoiced him.
'Is the letter written?' were Basil's first words.
'It is here. Can you despatch it at once?'
'I will take it myself,' he answered promptly.
Aurelia shook her head.
'You must not. My father's life is fast failing. No one can say
which hour may be his last. If he asked for you, and you were absent--'
'Felix shall go,' said Basil.
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