So
he led Basil aside, told him of the messenger sent to Cumae, as well
as of the inventions by which Chorsoman had been beguiled, and
counselled mere inaction until news came. Marcian then inquired of
the commander whether, in case Veranilda were found at Cumae, he
would permit her to be sent on to Rome under the escort already
provided; but to this Chorsoman vouchsafed no direct reply: he would
consider the matter.
Negotiations had reached this point when new visitors arrived, the
Bishop of Surrentum and presbyter Joannes. Though suffering much,
the good bishop had risen from bed as soon as the exciting events of
this morning had reached his ear His innocence of complicity in the
plot against Aurelia and Veranilda, no one who saw him could doubt;
with astonishment he had heard of the priests and their armed
attendants, and with indignation of the citizens' tumultuous
behaviour. What right or reason had folk to proclaim that Aurelia
was still a heretic, and that she should not have been allowed to
inherit property? Who, he asked severely, could read her heart? And
when inquiry made it too certain that all this angry feeling had
originated with Petronilla, the prelate shook his head sadly,
thinking more than he cared to say.
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