Nicias made Crobyle and Myrtale bring his richest tunic; it was embroidered, after the Asiatic fashion, with flowers and animals.  The two girls held it open, and skilfully showed its bright colours, waiting till Paphnutius should have taken off the cassock which covered him down to his feet.  But the monk having declared that they should rather tear off his flesh than this garment, they put on the tunic over it.  As the two girls were pretty, they were not afraid of men, although they were slaves.  They laughed at the strange appearance of the monk thus clad.  Crobyle called him her dear satrap, as she presented him with the mirror, and Myrtale pulled his beard.  But Paphnutius prayed to the Lord, and did not look at them.  Having tied on the gilt sandals, and fastened the purse to his belt, he said to Nicias, who was looking at him with an amused expression—­

“O Nicias, let not these things be an offence in your eyes.  For know that I shall make pious use of this tunic, this purse, and these sandals.”

“My dear friend,” replied Nicias, “I suspect no evil, for I believe that men are equally incapable of doing evil or doing good.  Good and evil exist only in the opinion.  The wise man has only custom and usage to guide him in his acts.  I conform with all the prejudices which prevail at Alexandria.  That is why I pass for an honest man.  Go, friend, and enjoy yourself.”

But Paphnutius thought that it was needful to inform his host of his intention.

“Do you know Thais,” he said, “who acts in the games at the theatre?”

“She is beautiful,” replied Nicias, “and there was a time when she was dear to me.  For her sake, I sold a mill and two fields of corn, and I composed in her honour three books full of detestably bad verses.  Surely beauty is the most powerful force in the world, and were we so made that we could possess it always, we should care as little as may be for the demiurgos, the logos, the aeons, and all the other reveries of the philosophers.  But I am surprised, my good Paphnutius, that you should have come from the depths of the Thebaid to talk about Thais.”

Having said this, he sighed gently.  And Paphnutius gazed at him with horror, not conceiving it possible that a man should so calmly avow such a sin.  He expected to see the earth open, and Nicias swallowed up in flames.  But the earth remained solid, and the Alexandrian silent, his forehead resting on his hand, and he smiling sadly at the memories of his past youth.  The monk rose, and continued in solemn tones—­

“Know then, O Nicias, that, with the aid of God, I will snatch this woman Thais from the unclean affections of the world, and give her as a spouse to Jesus Christ.  If the Holy Spirit does not forsake me, Thais will leave this city and enter a nunnery.”

“Beware of offending Venus,” replied Nicias.  “She is a powerful goddess, she will be angry with you if you take away her chief minister.”