no word
which can offend any man. Thou wilt now be able to reprehend the malice or
obtuseness of thy deputy, and to do me right in my contention with these
impure dogs."

"Which be they?" asked Plotinus.

"Do I not sufficiently indicate the followers of Epicurus?" demanded the
Stoic.

"O master," explained Porphyry, "in allotting and fitting up apartments
designed for the respective sects of philosophers I naturally gave heed to
what I understood to be the principles of each. To the Epicureans, as
lovers of pleasure and luxury, I assigned the most commodious quarters,
furnished the same with soft cushions and costly hangings, and provided a
liberal table. I should have deemed it insulting to have offered any of
these things to the frugal followers of Zeno, and nothing can surpass my
astonishment at the manner in which the austere Theocles has incessantly
persecuted me for choice food and wine, stately rooms and soft couches."

"O Plotinus," replied Theocles, "let me make the grounds of my conduct
clear to thee. In the first place, the honour of my school is in my
keeping. What will the vulgar think when they see the sty of Epicurus
sumptuously adorned, and the porch of Zeno shabby and bare? Will they not
deem that the Epicureans are highly respected and the Stoics made of little
account? Furthermore, how can I and my disciples manifest our contempt for
gold, dainties, wine, fine linen, and all the other instruments of luxury,
unless we have them to despise? Shall we not appear like foxes, vilipending
the grapes that we cannot reach? Not so; offer me delicacies that I may
reject them, wine that I may pour it into the kennel, Tyrian purple that I
may trample upon it, gold that I may fling it away; if it break an
Epicurean's head, so much the better."

"Plotinus," said Hermon, the chief of the Epicureans, who had meanwhile
entered the apartment, "let this hypocrite have what he wants, and send him
away. I and my followers are perfectly willing to remove at once into the
inferior apartments, and leave ours for his occupation with all their
furniture, and the reversion of our bill of fare. Thou should'st know that
the imputations of the vulgar against our sect are the grossest calumnies.
The Epicurean places happiness in tranquil enjoyment, not in luxury or
sensual pleasures. There is not a thing I possess which I am not perfectly
willing to resign, except the society of my female disciple."

"Thy female disciple!" ex