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A glance from the listener checked her, and, before she could resume, Maximus interposed in a low voice: 'I have yet a daughter. 'A daughter? exclaimed Petronilla, troubled, confused, scarce subduing indignation.
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.
'This, he said reverently, 'contains dust of iron from the bars on which the blessed Laurentius suffered martyrdom. 'Swear also, demanded Aurelia, 'by the Holy Pancratius. In the name of both saints Leander took his oath of secrecy. Petronilla was of course aware that the deacon had been admitted to audience by her niece.
I went to the church of the holy Petronilla, to pray there against all the dangers that environ me against the wiles of the wicked, the cruelty of violent men, the sickness which is rife about us. And when I rose from before the altar, the servant of God who passes his life there, who is pleased to regard me with kindness, led me apart into the sacristy, where sat a woman who had lost her sight.
"What else?" thought Frederick, disgusted, though he had to admit that he had actually become famous. Through Petronilla he sent word to Ingigerd to ask whether it would be agreeable to her to receive him. Petronilla returned with the message that Ingigerd would see him in a quarter of an hour.
When the customary bell had given notice of the third hour, Aurelia called together the servants of the house only those who belonged to Petronilla failing to answer her summons and announced to them her new authority. At the same time the steward of the estate read out a list of those slaves who, under the will of Maximus, could claim their emancipation.
It was not enough to regain her father's love and enjoy an inheritance; she wished to see her enemies at her feet, and to trample upon them her enemies being not only Petronilla and certain other kinsfolk but all the nobility of Rome, nay, all the orthodox of the Christian church. Pacing, pacing alone, she brooded vast schemes of vengeance.
So Petronilla thanked and dismissed the young men, on whose retirement she turned eagerly to Leander. 'Forgive me! broke from her lips. 'I know how deeply I have offended your Sanctity. It was my fear that you would go away without a word. My haste, my vehemence, merited even that punishment. 'Calm yourself, noble lady, returned the deacon. 'I was indeed grieved, but I know your provocation.
From you I will conceal nothing, for you are good, you are compassionate. And whilst he poured forth the story of his love, not without tears, Silvia gave sympathetic attention. The lady Petronilla had never been one of her intimates, nor was the deacon Leander among those ecclesiastics whom she most reverenced. When Basil had told all, her reply was ready.
As their president drove away, Basil, gazing idly after the carpentum, felt himself touched on the arm; he looked round and saw Decius, whose panting breath declared his haste, whilst his countenance was eloquent of ill. 'I come from the Anicianum, Decius whispered, 'and bring terrible news. Petronilla lies dying of the pest. Dazed as if under a violent blow, Basil stretched out his hand.
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