ell the truth, at that moment in her purse
a substantial reason for so thinking--'I think it might be worth your
ladyship's while to see him.'

Hypatia shook her head impatiently.

'He seems to know you well, madam, though he refuses to tell his name:
but he bade me put you in mind of a black agate--I cannot tell what
he meant--of a black agate, and a spirit which was to appear when you
rubbed it.'

Hypatia turned pale as death. Was it Philammon again? She felt for the
talisman--it was gone! She must have lost it last night in
Miriam's chamber. Now she saw the true purpose of the old hag's
plot--....deceived, tricked, doubly tricked! And what new plot was this?

'Tell him to leave the letter, and begone.... My father? What? Who is
this? Who are you bringing to me at such a moment?'

And as she spoke, Theon ushered into the chamber no other than Raphael
Aben-Ezra, and then retired.

He advanced slowly towards her, and falling on one knee, placed in her
hand Synesius's letter.

Hypatia trembled from head to foot at the unexpected apparition....
Well; at least he could know nothing of last night and its disgrace.
But not daring to look him in the face, she took the letter and opened
it.... If she had hoped for comfort from it, her hope was not realised.

'Synesius to the Philosopher:

'Even if Fortune cannot take from me all things, yet what she can take
she will. And yet of two things, at least, she shall not rob me--to
prefer that which is best, and to succour the oppressed. Heaven forbid
that she should overpower my judgment, as well as the rest of me!
Therefore I do hate injustice; for that I can do: and my will is to stop
it; but the power to do so is among the things of which she has bereaved
me-before, too, she bereaved me of my children....

'"Once, in old times, Milesian men were strong."

And there was a time when I, too, was a comfort to my friends, and
when you used to call me a blessing to every one except myself, as I
squandered for the benefit of others the favour with which the great
regarded me.... My hands they were--then.... But now I am left desolate
of all: unless you have any power. For you and virtue I count among
those good things, of which none can deprive me. But you always have
power, and will have it, surely, now--using it as nobly as you do.

'As for Nicaeus and Philolaus, two noble youths, and kinsmen of my
own, let it be the business of all who honour you, both private men and