Before sunrise on the morrow, Basil sent forth his invitations to all of the Anician blood in Rome.

The first to respond was Gordianus, whose dwelling on the Clivus Scauri stood but a few minutes' walk away.

Though but a little older than Basil, Gordian had been for several years a husband and a father; he was in much esteem for his worldly qualities, and more highly regarded for the fervour of his religious faith.

A tall, handsome, dignified man, he looked straight before him with frank eyes, and his lips told of spirit tempered by kindliness.

Between him and his relative no great intimacy existed, for their modes of life and of thought were too dissimilar, but each saw the good in the other, and was attracted by it.