Wearied by their night of watching, the inhabitants slept, or at least reposed in privacy.

But this quiet was of short duration.

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.

The gathering having dispersed, there appeared an attendant of the deacon Leander; his reverend master would wait upon the lady Aurelia, as soon as her leisure permitted, for the purpose of taking leave.