At length he sighed and awoke and looked about him.

At no great distance, as though just issued from the ilex wood, moved a man's figure.

It approached very slowly, and Basil watched until he saw that the man was bent as if with age, and had black garments such as were worn by wandering mendicant monks.
Carelessly he turned, and went his way back to the villa.
An hour later, Aurelia learnt that a 'holy man,' a pilgrim much travel worn, was begging to be admitted to her.

She refused to see him.

Still he urged his entreaty, declaring that he had a precious gift for her acceptance, and an important message for her ear.