till the sea was taking a darker and still darker hue, till the glow on
the mountain peaks and in the west had begun to die away, and the night
to spread its shades over the heights and hollows, did Stephanus unclasp
his folded hands and softly speak his companion's name. Paulus started
and said, speaking like a man who is aroused from a dream and who is
suddenly conscious of having heard some one speak, "You are right; it is
growing dark and cool and you must go back into the cave."

Stephanus offered no opposition and let himself be led back to his bed;
while Paulus was spreading the sheepskin over the sick man he sighed
deeply.

"What disturbs your soul?" asked the older man. "It is--it was--what
good can it do me!" cried Paulus in strong excitement. "There we sat,
witnesses of the most glorious marvels of the Most High, and I, in
shameless idolatry, seemed to see before me the chariot of Helios with
its glorious winged-horses, snorting fire as they went, and Helios
himself in the guise of Hermas, with gleaming golden hair, and the
dancing Hours, and the golden gates of the night. Accursed rabble of
demons!--"

At this point the anchorite was interrupted, for Hermas entered the cave,
and laying a young steinbock, that he had killed, before the two men,
exclaimed, "fine fellow, and he cost me no more than one arrow. I will
light a fire at once and roast the best pieces. There are plenty of
bucks still on our mountain, and I know where to find them."

In about an hour, father and son were eating the pieces of meat, which
had been cooked on a spit. Paulus declined to sup with them, for after
he had scourged himself in despair and remorse for the throwing of the