o gives way to such, sullies the air with brutish laughter. Such
false joy drags the sinner into all sorts of excess. But sometimes also
the troubles of the soul and of the senses throw us into an impious
sadness which is a thousand times worse than the joy. Brother
Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but I have found, in my long
life, that the cenobite has no foe worse than sadness. I mean by that
the obstinate melancholy which envelopes the soul as in a mist, and
hides from us the light of God. Nothing is more contrary to salvation,
and the devil's greatest triumph is to sow black and bitter thoughts in
the heart of a good man. If he sent us only pleasurable temptations,
he would not be half so much to be feared. Alas! he excels in making
us sad. Did he not show to our father Anthony a black child of such
surpassing beauty that the very sight of it drew tears? With God's help,
our father Anthony avoided the snares of the demon. I knew him when he
lived amongst us; he was cheerful with his disciples, and never gave
way to melancholy. But did you not come, my brother, to talk to me of
a design you had formed in your mind? Let me know what it is--if, at
least, this design has for its object the glory of God."

"Brother Palemon, what I propose is really to the glory of God.
Strengthen me with your counsel, for you know many things, and sin has
never darkened the clearness of your mind."

"Brother Paphnutius, I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of thy
sandals, and my sins are as countless as the sands of the desert. But I
am old, and I will never refuse the help of my experience."

"I will confide in you, then, brother Palemon, that I am stricken with
grief at the thought that there is, in Alexandria, a courtesan named
Thais, who lives in sin, and is a subject of reproach unto the people."

"Brother Paphnutius, that is, in truth, an abomination which we do well
to deplore. There are many women amongst the Gentiles who lead lives of
that kind. Have you thought of any remedy for this great evil?"

"Brother Palemon, I will go to Alexandria and find this woman, and, with
God's help, I will convert her; that is my intention; do you approve of
it, brother?"

"Brother Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but our father Anthony
used to say, 'In whatsoever place thou art, hasten not to leave it to go
elsewhere.'"

"Brother Palemon, do you disapprove of my project?"

"Dear Paphnutius, God forbid that I should sus