patia's hand, it was as cold as ice; and his heart, too, in
spite of all his bliss, felt cold and heavy, as he left the room.

As he went down the steps into the street, a young man sprang from
behind one of the pillars, and seized his arm.

'Aha! my young Coryphaeus of pious plunderers! What do you want with
me?'

Philammon, for it was he, looked at him an instant, and recognised him.

'Save her! for the love of God, save her!'

'Whom?'

'Hypatia!'

'How long has her salvation been important to you, my good friend?'

'For God's sake,' said Philammon, 'go back and warn her! She will hear
you--you are rich--you used to be her friend--I know you--I have heard
of you.... Oh, if you ever cared for her--if you ever felt for her a
thousandth part of what I feel--go in and warn her not to stir from
home!'

'I must hear more of this,' said Raphael, who saw that the boy was in
earnest. 'Come in with me, and speak to her father.'

'No! not in that house! Never in that house again! Do not ask me why:
but go yourself. She will not hear me. Did you--did you prevent her from
listening?'

'What do you mean?'

'I have been here--ages! I sent a note in by her maid, and she returned
no answer.'

Raphael recollected then, for the first time, a note which he had seen
brought to her during the conversation.

'I saw her receive a note. She tossed it away. Tell me your story. If
there is reason in it, I will bear your message myself. Of what is she
to be warned?'

'Of a plot--I know that there is a plot--against her among the monks
and Parabolani. As I lay in bed this morning in Arsenius's room--they
thought I was asleep--'

'Arsenius? Has that venerable fanatic, then, gone the way of all
monastic flesh, and turned persecutor?'

'God forbid! I heard him beseeching Peter the Reader to refrain from
something, I cannot tell what; but I caught her name.... I heard Peter
say, "She that hindereth will hinder till she be taken out of the way."
And when he went out into the passage I heard him say to another, "That
thou doest, do quickly!...."'

'These are slender grounds, my friend.'

'Ah, you do not know of what those men are capable!'

'Do I not? Where did you and I meet last?'

Philammon blushed and burst forth again. 'That was enough for me. I know
the hatred which they bear her, the crimes which they attribute to
her. Her house would have been attacked last night had it not been for
Cyril.... And I knew Peter's tone