your equal if not your superior in the sight of his low-born and
illiterate deity!' [Footnote: These are the arguments and the language
which were commonly employed by Porphyry, Julian, and the other
opponents of Christianity.]

'My most eloquent philosopher, this may be--and perhaps is--all very
true. I quite agree that there are very great practical inconveniences
of this kind in the new--I mean the Catholic faith; but the world is
full of inconveniences. The wise man does not quarrel with his creed for
being disagreeable, any more than he does with his finger for aching: he
cannot help it, and must make the best of a bad matter. Only tell me how
to keep the peace.'

'And let philosophy be destroyed?'

'That it never will be, as long as Hypatia lives to illuminate the
earth; and, as far as I am concerned, I promise you a clear stage and--a
great deal of favour; as is proved by my visiting you publicly at this
moment, before I have given audience to one of the four hundred bores,
great and small, who are waiting in the tribunal to torment me. Do help
me and advise me. What am I to do?'

'I have told you.'

'Ah, yes, as to general principles. But out of the lecture-room I prefer
a practical expedient for instance, Cyril writes to me here--plague on
him! he would not let me even have a week's hunting in peace-that there
is a plot on the part of the Jews to murder all the Christians. Here is
the precious document--do look at it, in pity. For aught I know or care,
the plot may be an exactly opposite one, and the Christians intend to
murder all the Jews. But I must take some notice of the letter.'

'I do not see that, your excellency.'

'Why, if anything did happen, after all, conceive the missives which
would be sent flying off to Constantinople against me!'

'Let them go. If you are secure in the consciousness of innocence, what
matter?'

'Consciousness of innocence? I shall lose my prefecture!'

'Your danger would just be as great if you took notice of it. Whatever
happened, you would be accused of favouring the Jews.'

'And really there might be some truth in the accusation. How the
finances of the provinces would go on without their kind assistance,
I dare not think. If those Christians would but lend me their money,
instead of building alms-houses and hospitals with it, they might burn
the Jews' quarter to-morrow, for aught I care. But now....'

'But now, you must absolutely take no notice of this letter