They whom Basil sought were not here; all
search would be useless; in proof of this Leo offered the evidence
of his wife, who could reveal something of moment which she had
learnt only a few hours ago. The woman was called, and Basil spoke
apart with her; he learnt that Petronilla, as soon as her pains
began, sent a messenger to the deacon Leander, entreating him to
come; but Leander had only yesterday set out on a journey, and would
not be back for a week or more. Hearing this, the stricken lady fell
into an anguish of mind worse even than that of the body; she
uttered words signifying repentance for some ill-doing, and, after a
while, said to those who were beside her--a physician and the
speaker--that, if she died, they were to make known to Bessas that
the deacon Leander, he and he alone, could tell all. Having said
this, Petronilla became for a time calmer; but her sufferings
increased, and suddenly she bade summon the presbyter of St.
Cecilia's church. With him she spoke alone, and for a long time.
Since, she had uttered no word touching worldly matters; the woman
believed that she was now unconscious.
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