"Peace be with you, brother! May you some day taste the sweet joys of
paradise."

The man did not reply. He remained motionless, and appeared not to have
heard. Paphnutius supposed this was due to one of those rhapsodies to
which the saints are accustomed. He knelt down, with his hands joined,
by the side of the unknown, and remained thus in prayer till sunset.
Then, seeing that his companion had not moved, he said to him--

"Father, if you are now out of the ecstasy in which you were lost, give
me your blessing in our Lord Jesus Christ."

The other replied without turning his head--

"Stranger, I understand you not, and I know not the Lord Jesus Christ."

"What!" cried Paphnutius. "The prophets have announced Him; legions of
martyrs have confessed His name; Caesar himself has worshipped Him, and,
but just now, I made the sphinx of Silsile proclaim His glory. Is it
possible that you do not know Him?"

"Friend," replied the other, "it is possible. It would even be certain,
if anything in this world were certain."

Paphnutius was surprised and saddened by the incredible ignorance of the
man.

"If you know not Jesus Christ," he said, "all your works serve no
purpose, and you will never rise to life immortal."