(Augustine’s mother, whom he had left at Carthage when he departed for
Rome, arrives to join him at Milan. She is pleased by his start on the
right road, and redoubles her prayers for his ultimate conversion.
Augustine is gradually progressing toward this culmination of his
mother’s hopes, but he is continually assailed by doubts. He is troubled
by the worldly pursuits he has indulged in so long. His friend, Alypius,
become a devotee of the contests and games in the Circus, is saved from
this passionate dissipation by the God to whom Augustine looks for final
salvation. But, indicative of his imprisonment in earthly pleasures,
Augustine plans to marry, to enable himself to continue his carnal lusts
under the protection of a legal union; he is dissuaded by his friends,
with whom he discusses, at some length, their mode of life. Because of
these “inveterate sins,” Augustine lives in dread of divine judgment.)