The arbiter's words produced the usual deep impression on Nero; but Petronius was not deceived as to this, that what he had said was a desperate means which in a fortunate event might save the Christians, it is true, but might still more easily destroy himself.
Petronius szavai rendszerint nagy hatással voltak Caesarra, de most ő maga sem áltatta magát, mert érezte, hogy amit mondott, az az utolsó szalmaszál, amely szerencsés esetben meg­mentheti a keresztényeket, de sokkal könnyebben elveszítheti őt is.