savages. Neither art nor philosophy will exist any longer on the earth.
The statues of the gods will be overturned in the temples, and in men's
hearts as well. Darkness will overcome all minds, and the world will
die. Can we believe that the Sarmatians will ever devote themselves to
intelligent work, that the Germani will cultivate music and philosophy,
and that the Quadi and the Marcomani will adore the immortal gods? No!
we are sliding toward the abyss. Our old Egypt, which was the cradle
of the world, will be its burial vault; Serapis, the god of Death, will
receive the last adoration of mortals, and I shall have been the last
priest of the last god.

At this moment a strange figure raised the tapestry, and the guests saw
before them a little hunchback, whose bald skull rose in a point. He was
clad, in the Asiatic fashion, in a blue tunic, and wore round his legs,
like the barbarians, red breeches, spangled with gold stars. On
seeing him, Paphnutius recognised Marcus the Arian, and fearing lest a
thunderbolt should fall from heaven, he covered his head with his arms,
and grew pale with fright. At this banquet of the demons, neither the
blasphemies of the pagans, nor the horrible errors of the philosophers,
had had any effect on him, but the mere presence of the heretic quenched
his courage. He would have fled, but his eyes met those of Thais, and
he felt at once strengthened. He read in her soul that she, who was
predestined to become a saint, already protected him. He seized the
skirt of her long, flowing robe, and inwardly prayed to the Saviour
Jesus.

A murmur of acclamation welcomed the arrival of the personage who had
been called the Christian Plato. Hermodorus was the first to speak.

"Most illustrious Marcus, we rejoice to see you amongst us, and it
may be said that you come at the right moment. We know nothing of the
Christian doctrine, beyond what is publicly taught. Now, it is certain
that a philosopher, like you, cannot think as the vulgar think, and
we are curious to know your opinion of the principal mysteries of the
religion you profess. Our dear friend, Zenothemis, who, as you know,
is always hunting for symbolic meanings, just now questioned the
illustrious Paphnutius concerning the Jewish books. But Paphnutius made
no reply, and we should not be surprised at that, as our guest has made
a vow of silence, and God has sealed his tongue in the desert. But
you Marcus, who have spoken at the Christian s