ewish merchant lived in the fishing-town on the western
declivity of the mountain; he shipped the charcoal for Egypt, which was
made in the valleys of the peninsula by burning the sajal acacia, and he
had formerly supplied fuel for the drying-room of the papyrus-factory of
Paulus' father. He now had a business connection with his brother, and
Paulus himself had had dealings with him. He was prudent and wealthy,
and whenever he met the anchorite, he blamed him for his flight from
the world, and implored him to put his hospitality to the test, and to
command his resources and means as if they were his own.

This man was now to find a boat, and to provide the means of flight for
Sirona. The longer Paulus thought it over, the more indispensable it
seemed to him that he should himself accompany the Gaulish lady to
Alexandria, and in his own person find her a safe shelter. He knew that
he was free to dispose of his brother's enormous fortune-half of which
in fact was his--as though it were all his own, and he began to rejoice
in his possessions for the first time for many years. Soon he was
occupied in thinking of the furnishing of the house, which he intended
to assign to the fair Sirona. At first he thought of a simple citizen's
dwelling, but by degrees he began to picture the house intended for
her as fitted with shining gold, white and colored marble, many-colored
Syrian carpets, nay even with vain works of the heathen, with statues,
and a luxurious bath. In increasing unrest he wandered from rock to
rock, and many times as he went up and down he paused in front of the
cave where Sirona was. Once he saw her light robe, and its conspicuous
gleam led him to the reflection, that it would be imprudent to conduct
her to the humble fishing-village in that dress. If he meant to conceal
her traces from the search of Phoebicius and Polykarp, he must first
provide her with a simple dress, and a veil that should hide her shining
hair and fair face, which even in the capital could find no match.

The Amalekite, from whom he had twice bought some goat's-milk for her,
lived in a but which Paulus could easily reach. He still possessed a few
drachmas, and with these he could purchase what he needed from the wife
and daughter of the goatherd. Although the sky was now covered with mist
and a hot sweltering south-wind had risen, he prepared to start at once.
The sun was no longer visible though its scorching heat could be felt,
but Paulus p