e said, "amongst the Marys."

Paphnutius then related how Thais had been brought to the House of
Salvation, and asked that she should be at once confined in a cell.
The abbess consented, and led the penitent to a hut, which had remained
empty since the death of the virgin Laeta, who had sanctified it. In
this narrow chamber there was but a bed, a table, and a pitcher, and
Thais when she crossed the threshold, felt filled with ineffable joy.

"I wish to close the door myself," said Paphnutius, "and put thereon a
seal, which Jesus will come and break with His own hands."

He went to the side of the spring, and took a handful of wet clay, mixed
with it a little spittle and a hair from his head, and plastered it
across the chink of the door. Then, approaching the window, near which
Thais stood peaceful and happy, he fell on his knees and praised the
Lord three times.

"How beautiful are the feet of her who walketh in the paths of
righteousness! How beautiful are her feet, and how resplendent her
face!"

He rose, lowered his hood over his eyes, and walked away slowly.

Albina called one of her virgins.

"My daughter," she said, "take to Thais those things which are needful
for her--bread, water, and a flute with three holes."

PART THE THIRD -- THE EUPHORBIA

Paphnutius had returned to the holy desert. He took, near Athribis,
the boat which went up the Nile to carry food to the monastery of Abbot
Serapion. When he disembarked, his disciples advanced to meet him with
great demonstrations of joy. Some raised their arms to heaven; others,
prostrate on the ground, kissed the Abbot's sandals. For they knew
already what the saint had accomplished in Alexandria. The monks
generally received, by rapid and unknown means, information concerning
the safety or glory of the Church. News spread through the desert with
the rapidity of the simoon.

When Paphnutius strode across the sand, his disciples followed
him, praising the Lord. Flavian, who was the oldest member of the
brotherhood, was suddenly seized with a pious frenzy and began to sing
an inspired hymn--

"O blessed day! Now is our father restored to us.
He has returned laden with fresh merits, of which we reap the
benefit.
For the virtues of the father are the wealth of the children, and
the sanctity of the Abbot illuminates every cell.
Paphnutius, our father, has given a new spouse to Jesus Christ.
By his wondrous art,