The name startled him. Was this man sent by God? He bade
introduce the visitor, and in a moment there entered a
white-bearded, shoulder-bowed ecclesiastic, perspiring from the
sunshine, who greeted him with pleasant cordiality. This priest it
was--he bore the name Gaudiosus--who had baptized Marcian, and
had given him in childhood religious teaching; a good, but timid
man, at all times readier to praise than to reprove, a well-meaning
utterer of smooth things, closing his eyes to evil, which confused
rather than offended him. From the same newsbearer, who told him of
Marcian's arrival at the villa, Gaudiosus had heard of a mysterious
lady; but it was far from his thought to meddle with the morals of
one whose noble birth and hereditary position of patron inspired him
with respect; he came only to gossip about the affairs of the time.
They sat down together, Marcian glad of the distraction. But scarce
had they been talking for five minutes, when again the servant
presented himself.
'What now?' asked his master impatiently.
'My lord, at the gate is the lord Basil.
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