The sky will be calm when this storm has passed Shall you return,' said Basil, 'alone ?' 'Alone?
Do you purpose to forsake me ?' 'Think better of my manners, cousin--and more shrewdly of my meaning.' 'You mean fairly, I trust ?' she returned, looking him steadily in the face.
'Nay,' cried the young man vehemently, 'if I have any thought other than honest, may I perish before I ever again behold her!' Aurelia's gaze softened.
'It is well,' she said; 'we will speak again to-morrow.' That night Petronilla kept vigil in the church of Surrentum, Basil and Decius relieving her an hour before dawn.

At the funeral service, which began soon after sunrise, the greater part of the townsfolk attended.
All were eager to see whether the daughter of Maximus would be present, for many rumours were rife touching Aurelia, some declaring that she had returned to the true faith, some that she remained obstinate in heresy.

Her failure to appear did not set the debate at rest.

A servant of Petronilla whispered it about that only by a false pretence of conversion had Aurelia made sure her inheritance; and at the mere thought of such wickedness the hearers shuddered, foretelling a dread retribution.

The clergy were mute on the subject, even with the most favoured of their flock.