th
violent desires a certain Dalmatian, who was insensible to my beauty.
It is certain that I have lived amongst enchanted things, and that I
was exposed to the greatest perils, for men have been strangled by the
embraces of a bronze statue. Yet it would be a pity to destroy valuable
works made with rare skill, and to burn my carpets and tapestry would be
a great loss. The beautiful colours of some of them are truly wonderful,
and they cost much money to those who gave them to me. I also possess
cups, statues, and pictures of great price. I do not think they ought to
perish. But you know what is necessary. Do as you will, my father."

Thus saying, she followed the monk to the little door at which so many
garlands and wreaths had been hung, and, when it was opened, she told
the porter to call together all the slaves in the house. Four Indians,
who were employed in the kitchen, were the first to appear. They were
all four yellow men, and each had but one eye. It had cost Thais much
trouble, and given her amusement, to get together these four slaves
of the same race, and all afflicted with the same infirmity. When they
attended at table they excited the curiosity of the guests, and Thais
made them relate the story of their lives. These four waited in silence.
Their assistants followed them. Then came the stablemen, the huntsmen,
the litter-bearers, and the running footmen with muscles like iron, two
gardeners hirsute as Priapus, six ferocious looking negroes, three Greek
slaves--one a grammarian, another a poet, and the third a singer. They
all stood, ranged in order, on the public square, and were presently
joined by the negresses--curious, suspicious, rolling big round eyes,
and each with a huge mouth slit to her earrings. Lastly, adjusting their
veils and languidly dragging their feet, which were shackled with light
gold chains, appeared six sulky-looking, beautiful white slave-girls.
When they were all assembled, Thais, pointing to Paphnutius, said--

"Do whatever this man commands you; for the spirit of God is in him, and
if you disobey him you will fall dead."

For she had heard, and really believed, that the earth would open and
swallow up in flames and smoke any impious wretch whom a saint of the
desert struck with his staff.

Paphnutius sent away the women and the Greek men-slaves, and said to the
others--

"Bring wood to the middle of this place, make a huge fire, and throw
into it pell-mell all that there i