Was this man sent by God?
He bade introduce the visitor, and in a moment there entered a white-bearded, shoulder-bowed ecclesiastic, perspiring from the sunshine, who greeted him with pleasant cordiality.

This priest it was--he bore the name Gaudiosus--who had baptized Marcian, and had given him in childhood religious teaching; a good, but timid man, at all times readier to praise than to reprove, a well-meaning utterer of smooth things, closing his eyes to evil, which confused rather than offended him.

From the same newsbearer, who told him of Marcian's arrival at the villa, Gaudiosus had heard of a mysterious lady; but it was far from his thought to meddle with the morals of one whose noble birth and hereditary position of patron inspired him with respect; he came only to gossip about the affairs of the time.

They sat down together, Marcian glad of the distraction.

But scarce had they been talking for five minutes, when again the servant presented himself.
'What now ?' asked his master impatiently.
'My lord, at the gate is the lord Basil.' Marcian started up.
'Basil?
How equipped and attended ?' 'Armed, on horseback, and with a number of armed horsemen.' 'Withdraw, and wait outside till I call you.' Marcian turned to the presbyter.