ad finished a hearty
meal that Pambo asked his name and errand.

'My unworthiness is called Peter the Reader. I come from Cyril, with
letters and messages to the brother Aufugus.'

Pambo rose, and bowed reverentially.

'We have heard your good report, sir, as of one zealously affected in
the cause of the Church Catholic. Will it please you to follow us to the
cell of Aufugus?'

Peter stalked after them with a sufficiently important air to the little
hut, and there taking from his bosom Cyril's epistle, handed it to
Arsenius, who sat long, reading and re-reading with a clouded brow,
while Pambo watched him with simple awe, not daring to interrupt by a
question lucubrations which he considered of unfathomable depth.

'These are indeed the last days,' said Arsenius at length, 'spoken of by
the prophet, when many shall run to and fro. So Heraclian has actually
sailed for Italy?'

'His armament was met on the high seas by Alexandrian merchantmen, three
weeks ago.'

'And Orestes hardens his heart more and more?'

'Ay, Pharaoh that he is; or rather, the heathen woman hardens it for
him.'

'I always feared that woman above all the schools of the heathen,' said
Arsenius. 'But the Count Heraclian, whom I always held for the wisest
as well as the most righteous of men! Alas!--alas! what virtue will
withstand, when ambition enters the heart!'

'Fearful, truly,' said Peter, 'is that same lust of power: but for
him, I have never trusted him since he began to be indulgent to those
Donatists.'

'Too true. So does one sin beget another.'

'And I consider that indulgence to sinners is the worst of all sins
whatsoever.'

'Not of all, surely, reverend sir?' said Pambo humbly. But Peter, taking
no notice of the interruption, went on to Arsenius--

'And now, what answer am I to bear back from your wisdom to his
holiness?'

'Let me see--let me see. He might--it needs consideration--I ought to
know more of the state of parties. He has, of course, communicated with
the African bishops, and tried to unite them with him?'

'Two months ago. But the stiff-necked schismatics are still jealous of
him, and hold aloof.'

'Schismatics is too harsh a term, my friend. But has he sent to
Constantinople?'

'He needs a messenger accustomed to courts. It was possible, he thought,
that your experience might undertake the mission.'

'Me? Who am I? Alas! alas! fresh temptations daily! Let him send by
the hand of whom he will.... And ye