'Who knows,' she added, 'how far his weakness may lead my poor brother ?' She glanced about the hall, and Leander perfectly understood what was in her mind.
'Be not over anxious,' he replied soothingly.

'Leave this in my hands.
Should it be necessary, I can dispose of some days before pursuing my journey.

Take comfort, noble and pious lady! The truth will prevail.' The deacon's first step was to obtain a private interview with the physician.

He then made known his desire to wait upon Maximus, and with no great delay was admitted.

Tactfully, sagaciously, he drew the sufferer to confide in him, to see in him, not so much a spiritual admonisher as a counsellor and a support in worldly difficulties.
Leander was already well aware that the Senator had small religious zeal, but belonged to the class of men, numerous at this time, who, whilst professing the Christian and the orthodox faith, were in truth philosophers rather than devotees, and regarded dogmatic questions with a calm not easily distinguished from indifference.