He next sent me to learn the strength of the Greek garrisons in Spoletium and Assisium, and how those cities were provisioned; this task also, by good hap, I discharged so as to win some praise.

Then the king again spoke to me of you.

And as, before, I had not dared to approach you, so now I did not dare to wait longer before making known to you my shame and my repentance.' 'Of what sickness did you speak just now ?' asked Veranilda, after a silence.
He narrated to her his sojourn at the monastery, told of the penance he had done, of the absolution granted him by Benedict; whereupon a light came into Veranilda's eyes.
'There lives,' she exclaimed, 'no holier man!' 'None holier lived,' was Basil's grave answer.

'Returning from Assisium, I met a wandering anchorite, who told me of Benedict's death.' 'Alas!' 'But is he reverenced by those of your creed ?' asked Basil in surprise.
'Of my creed?
My faith is that of the Catholic Church.' For the first time their eyes met.

Basil drew a step nearer; his face shone with joy, which for a moment held him mute.
'It was in the convent,' added Veranilda, 'that I learnt the truth.
They whom I called my enemies wrought this good to me.' Basil besought her to tell him how she had been carried away from Surrentum, and all that had befallen her whilst she was a prisoner; he declared his ignorance of everything between their last meeting in the Anician villa and the dreadful day which next brought them face to face.