'
Aurelia hushed his voice, but her eyes shone with stern gladness as
she stood before him, and took him by the hand, and spoke what he
alone could hear.
'Then unite yourself in faith with those who would make Rome free.
Be one in religion with the brave Goths--with Veranilda.'
He cast down his eyes and drew a deep breath.
'I scarce know what that religion is, O Aurelia,' came from him
stammeringly. 'I am no theologian; I never cared to puzzle my head
about the mysteries which men much wiser than I declare to pass all
human understanding. Ask Decius if he can defend the faith of
Athanasius against that of the Arians; he will smile, and shake his
head in that droll way he has. I believe,' he added after a brief
hesitancy, 'in Christ and in the Saints. Does not Veranilda also?'
The temptress drew back a little, seated herself; yielded to
troublous thought. It was long since she had joined in the worship
of a congregation, for at Cumae there was no Arian church. Once only
since her captivity had she received spiritual comfort from an Arian
priest, who came to that city in disguise.
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