outh; and will need more evidence than that smart
philosophic cloak and those well-curled locks which you have adopted
since I saw you last.'

'Remains to be proved?'

Arsenius made an imploring gesture to Peter to be silent.

'Nay, sir. As I foretold to you, this one way alone remains; the
blame of it, if there be blame, must rest on the unhappy youth whose
perversity renders it necessary.'

'For God's sake, spare me!' cried the old man, dragging Peter aside,
while Philammon stood astonished, divided between indignation and vague
dread.

'Did I not tell you again and again that I never could bring myself to
call a Christian man my slave? And him, above all, my spiritual son?'

'And, most reverend sir, whose zeal is only surpassed by your tenderness
and mercy, did not the holy patriarch assure you that your scruples were
groundless? Do you think that either he or I can have less horror than
you have of slavery in itself? Heaven forbid! But when an immortal soul
is at stake--when a lost lamb is to be brought back to the fold--surely
you may employ the authority which the law gives you for the salvation
of that precious charge committed to you? What could be more conclusive
than his Holiness's argument this morning? "Christians are bound to
obey the laws of this world for conscience' sake, even though, in the
abstract, they may disapprove of them, and deny their authority. Then,
by parity of reasoning, it must be lawful for them to take the advantage
which those same laws offer them, when by so doing the glory of God may
be advanced."'

Arsenius still hung back, with eyes brimming with tears; but Philammon
himself put an end to the parley.

'What is the meaning of all this? Are you, too, in a conspiracy against
me? Speak, Arsenius!'

'This is the meaning of it, blinded sinner!' cried Peter. 'That you are
by law the slave of Arsenius, lawfully bought with his money in the city
of Ravenna; and that he has the power, and, as I trust, for the sake of
your salvation, the will also, to compel you to accompany him.'

Philammon recoiled across the pavement, with eyes flashing defiance. A
slave! The light of heaven grew black to him.... Oh, that Hypatia might
never know his shame! Yet it was impossible. Too dreadful to be true....

'You lie!' almost shrieked he. 'I am the son of a noble citizen of
Athens. Arsenius told me so, but this moment, with his own lips!'

'Ah, but he bought you--bought you in the public marke