Hermodorus.  For my part, Lucius, I believe that there is no such thing as a good form of government, and that we shall never discover one, because the Greeks, who had so many excellent ideas, were never able to find one.  In that respect, therefore, all hope of ultimate success is taken from us.  Unmistakable signs show that the world is about to fall into ignorance and barbarism.  It has been our lot, Lucius, to witness terrible events.  Of all the mental satisfactions which intelligence, learning, and virtue can give, all that remains is the cruel pleasure of watching ourselves die.

Cotta.  It is true that the rapacity of the people, and the boldness of the barbarians, are threatening evils.  But with a good fleet, a good army, and plenty of money——­

Hermodorus.  What is the use of deceiving ourselves?  The dying empire will become an easy prey to the barbarians.  Cities which were built by Hellenic genius, or Latin patience, will soon be sacked by drunken savages.  Neither art nor philosophy will exist any longer on the earth.  The statues of the gods will be overturned in the temples, and in men’s hearts as well.  Darkness will overcome all minds, and the world will die.  Can we believe that the Sarmatians will ever devote themselves to intelligent work, that the Germani will cultivate music and philosophy, and that the Quadi and the Marcomani will adore the immortal gods?  No! we are sliding toward the abyss.  Our old Egypt, which was the cradle of the world, will be its burial vault; Serapis, the god of Death, will receive the last adoration of mortals, and I shall have been the last priest of the last god.

At this moment a strange figure raised the tapestry, and the guests saw before them a little hunchback, whose bald skull rose in a point.  He was clad, in the Asiatic fashion, in a blue tunic, and wore round his legs, like the barbarians, red breeches, spangled with gold stars.  On seeing him, Paphnutius recognised Marcus the Arian, and fearing lest a thunderbolt should fall from heaven, he covered his head with his arms, and grew pale with fright.  At this banquet of the demons, neither the blasphemies of the pagans, nor the horrible errors of the philosophers, had had any effect on him, but the mere presence of the heretic quenched his courage.  He would have fled, but his eyes met those of Thais, and he felt at once strengthened.  He read in her soul that she, who was predestined to become a saint, already protected him.  He seized the skirt of her long, flowing robe, and inwardly prayed to the Saviour Jesus.

A murmur of acclamation welcomed the arrival of the personage who had been called the Christian Plato.  Hermodorus was the first to speak.