he abyss. And the cross, no
doubt, is too far away from me. Ah! what a night! what a night!"

A sudden gust of wind cleaves the fog asunder; and he perceives two men
covered with long white tunics. The first is of tall stature, with a
sweet expression of countenance and grave deportment. His white hair,
parted like that of Christ, descends regularly over his shoulders. He
has thrown down a wand which he was carrying in his hand, and which his
companion has taken up, making a respectful bow after the fashion of
Orientals. The other is small, coarse-looking, flat-nosed, with a thick
neck, curly hair, and an air of simplicity. Both of them are
bare-footed, bare-headed, and covered with dust, like people who have
come on a long journey.

_Antony_, with a start--"What do ye seek? Speak! Go on!"

_Damis_--He is the little man--

"La, la! ... worthy hermit! what do you say? I know nothing about it.
Here is the Master!"

He sits down; the other remains standing. Silence.

_Antony_, resumes--"Ye come in this fashion? ..."

_Damis_--"Oh! a great distance--a very great distance!"

_Antony_--"And ye are going? ..."

_Damis_, pointing at his companion--"Wherever he wishes."

_Antony_--"Who, then, is he?"

_Damis_--"Look at him."

_Antony_--"He has the appearance of a saint. If I dared ..."

The fog by this time is quite gone. The atmosphere has become perfectly
clear. The moon shines out.

_Damis_--"What are you thinking of now that you say nothing more?"

_Antony_--"I am thinking of----Oh! nothing."

Damis draws close to Apollonius, makes many turns round him, with his
figure bent, and without moving his head.

"Master, this is a Galilean hermit who wishes to know the sources of
your wisdom."

_Apollonius_--"Let him approach."

Antony hesitates.

_Damis_--"Approach!"

_Apollonius_, in a voice of thunder--

"Approach! You would like to know who I am, what I have done, what I am
thinking of? Is that not so, child?"

_Antony_--" ... If at the same time those things contribute to my
salvation."

_Apollonius_--"Rejoice! I am about to tell them to you!"

_Damis_, in a low tone to Antony--

"Is it possible? He must have, at the first glance, recognised your
extraordinary inclinations for philosophy! I shall profit by it also
myself."

_Apollonius_--"I will first describe to you the long road I travelled to
gain doctrine; and, if you find in all my life one bad action, you will
stop me--for he must scan