Arator's poetic version of the Acts of the Apostles was written in
hexameters; whether good or ill, Basil felt unable to decide, and he
wished Decius had been here to whisper a critical comment. In any
case he would have found the reading wearisome; that monotonous,
indistinct voice soon irritated him, and at length made him drowsy.
But admiration frequently broke out from the audience, and at the
end applause became enthusiasm. Unspeakably glad that the ceremony
was over, Basil mingled with the moving crowd, and drew towards
Silvia. At length their eyes met; the lady thereupon spoke a word to
a cleric who was standing by her, and in the next moment summoned
Basil with a movement of the head. There was a brief formality, then
Basil found himself led aside by the deacon Pelagius, who spoke to
him in a grave, kind voice very pleasant to the ear, with the
courtesy of a finished man of the world, and at the same time with a
firmness of note, a directness of purpose, which did not fail to
impress the listener.
Aged about five-and-thirty, bearing upon his countenance the
signature of noble birth, Pelagius was at this moment the most
accomplished diplomat that the Church of Rome possessed.
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