“Alas!” replied Paphnutius, “I am not worthy of such a favour, and the only denizens of this abode are demons and vampires.  Pray for me.  I am Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, the most wretched of the servants of God.”

At the name of Paphnutius, all waved their palm leaves and murmured his praises.  The monk who had previously spoken, cried in surprise—­

“Can it be that thou art that holy Paphnutius, celebrated for so many works that it was supposed he would some day equal the great Anthony himself?  Most venerable, it was thou who convertedst to God the courtesan, Thais, and who, raised upon a high column, was carried away by the seraphs.  Those who watched by night, at the foot of the pillar, saw thy blessed assumption.  The wings of the angels encircled thee in a white cloud, and with thy right hand extended thou didst bless the dwellings of man.  The next day, when the people saw thou wert no longer there, a long groan rose to the summit of the discrowned pillar.  But Flavian, thy disciple, reported the miracle, and took thy place as the head.  But a foolish man, of the name of Paul, tried to contradict the general opinion.  He asserted that he had seen thee, in a dream, carried away by the devils; the people wanted to stone him, and it was a miracle that he escaped death.  I am Zozimus, abbot of these solitary monks whom thou seest prostrate at thy feet.  Like them, I kneel before thee, that thou mayest bless the father with the children.  Then thou shalt relate to us the marvels which God has deigned to accomplish by thy means.”

“Far from having favoured me as thou believest,” replied Paphnutius, “the Lord has tried me with terrible temptations.  I was not carried away by angels.  But a shadowy wall is raised in front of my eyes, and moves before me.  I have lived in a dream.  Without God all is a dream.  When I made my journey to Alexandria, I heard, in a short space of time, many discourses, and I learned that the army of errors was innumerable.  It pursues me, and I am compassed about with swords.”

Zozimus replied—­

“Venerable father, we must remember that the saints, and especially the solitary saints, undergo terrible trials.  If thou wast not carried to heaven by the seraphs, it is certain that the Lord granted that favour to thy image, for Flavian, the monks, and the people were witnesses of thy assumption.”

Paphnutius resolved to go and receive the blessing of Anthony.

“Brother Zozimus,” he said, “give me one of these palm leaves, and let us go and meet our father.”

“Let us go,” replied Zozimus; “military order is most befitting for monks, who are God’s soldiers.  Thou and I, being abbots, will march in front, and the others shall follow us, singing psalms.”

They set out on their march, and Paphnutius said—­