Arrived at the villa, he first
of all learnt all he could as to the position of things (declaring
total ignorance when the Hun sought to examine him as to the
relations of Basil and Veranilda), then made earnest inquiry whether
there really were slaves here who professed Arianism. The four were
summoned; overcome with dread, they prostrated them selves, and
entreated the bishop to make them Catholics Having heard from them
that they all had been baptized (the Roman Church held the baptism
of Arians valid), he sent them apart for summary instruction by
Joannes, and afterwards laid his reconciling hands upon them. Thus
had the Church gained four members, and the good folk of Surrentum
lost a heretic-baiting.
With the proceedings of the Imperial commander the worthy cleric
could not interfere. He spoke privately with Basil, and betrayed, in
a gentle severity of mien, his suspicion of the young noble's state
of mind, but of this not a word fell from him; his concern seemed to
be solely with the lady Aurelia, regarding whom he would set every
possible inquiry on foot.
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