consummate abilities: yet he
knew how to mingle business with study; for he took upon himself the
regulation of the family concerns, in order to ease his mother of the
burden. His prudent circumspection in all the affairs he transacted, his
virtuous conduct, his mild carriage to all, and more especially his
deference for his mother, without whose express orders or approbation he
never did any thing, caused him to be beloved and admired wherever his
name was known. He was chosen procurator, that is, lieutenant-governor,
and general receiver of the taxes of Byzacena. But it was not long
before {064} he grew disgusted with the world; and being justly alarmed
at its dangers he armed himself against them by pious reading, assiduous
prayer, and rigorous fasting. His visits to monasteries were frequent;
and happening among other books of spiritual entertainment, to read a
sermon of St. Austin on the thirty-sixth psalm, in which that father
treats of the world and the short duration of human life, he felt within
him strong desires of embracing the monastic state.

Huneric, the Arian king, had driven most of the orthodox bishops from
their sees. One of these, named Faustus, had erected a monastery in
Byzacena. It was to him that the young nobleman addressed himself for
admittance; but Faustus immediately objecting the tenderness of his
constitution, discouraged his desires with words of some harshness;
"Go," said he, "and first learn to live in the world abstracted from its
pleasures. Who can well suppose, that you on a sudden, relinquishing a
life of softness and ease, can take up with our coarse diet and clothing
and can inure yourself to our watchings and fastings?" The saint, with
downcast eyes, modestly replied: "He, who hath inspired me with the will
to serve him, can also furnish me with courage and strength." This
humble, yet resolute answer, induced Faustus to admit him on trial. The
saint was then in the twenty-second year of his age. The news of so
unthought of an event both surprised and edified the whole country; many
even imitated the example of the governor. But Mariana his mother, in
transports of grief, ran to the monastery, crying out at the gates:
"Faustus! restore to me my son; to the people, their governor: the
church always protects widows; why then rob you me, a desolate widow, of
my son?" She persisted several days in the same tears and cries. Nothing
that Faustus could urge was sufficient to calm her, or