I dreamt that this night the holy Sisinnius had fought with the demon, and had been worsted.

O Veranilda!'-- the speaker's voice trembled--'what may this mean ?' 'Dearest lady,' answered the other reassuringly, 'may it not be a temptation of the demon himself; who at times is permitted to tempt even the holiest ?' 'And you, sweet?
You have not dreamt ?' 'Only of Basil,' answered Veranilda, with a smile that asked pardon for her happiness.
They talked over the disquieting vision, whilst the little lamp-flame, wavering in breaths of air, cast strange shadows about the room.

On the walls were faded frescoes, one of which represented the poetess Proba on her knees before St.Agnes.Impelled by her fears, Aurelia of a sudden knelt before this picture, and prayed silently to the virgin martyr.

Then Veranilda rose from the couch, and knelt beside her.
Having solaced their souls, they kissed each other tenderly.
'You are not afraid,' whispered Veranilda, 'that Basil may be in the garden when we go forth ?' 'Basil?
Ah, little rogue, have you betrayed yourself ?' 'Of a truth, dearest lady, he has been there more than once, but not, oh not so early!' 'Nay, I hope not,' said Aurelia.

'It were scarce maidenly--' 'Never, never before the east had broken for the dayspring! Never, I swear to you, O my heart's friend!' 'Then there is small fear of his interrupting us this morning; all the more that he must have sat late with his friends, talking of many things.