As this store diminished, Aurelia had looked forward with dread, for she hoped nothing from her father.

And now that such fears seemed to be over, her long tortured pride clamoured for solace.

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.
When it was announced to her that the Roman deacon besought an interview, she at first refused to receive him.

Thereupon Leander sent her a few lines in writing, most ceremoniously worded, in which he declared that his purposes were those of a disinterested friend, that no word such as could pain or offend her would pass his lips, and that he had it in his power to communicate something which would greatly benefit her.