expose to bestial violence a life on which helpless women and the whole
world--to whom his writings were guide-posts to the realms of truth--
possessed a claim, could he be induced to yield. Nevertheless, the sage
and his relatives almost fell into the hands of the furious rabble, for
Didymus would not depart until he had saved this, that, and the other
precious book, till the number reached twenty or thirty. Besides, his
old deaf wife, who usually submitted quietly when her defective hearing
prevented her comprehension of many things, insisted upon knowing what
was occurring. She ordered everybody who came near her to explain what
had happened, thus detaining her granddaughter Helena, who was trying to
save the most valuable articles in the dwelling. So the departure was
delayed, and only the brave defence of young Philotas, Didymus's
assistant, and some of the Ephebi, who joined him, enabled them to escape
unharmed.

The Scythian guards, which at last put a stop to the frantic rage of the
deluded populace, arrived too late to prevent the destruction of the
house, but they saved Philotas and the other youths from the fists and
stones of the rabble. When the boats had gone farther out into the
harbour the question of finding a home for the philosopher and his family
was discussed. Berenike's house was also threatened, and the rules of
the museum prevented the reception of women. Five servants had
accompanied the family, and none of Didymus's learned friends had room
for so many guests. When the old man and Helena began to enumerate the
lodgings of which they could think, Gorgias interposed with an entreaty
that they would come to his house.

He had inherited the dwelling from his father. It was very large and
spacious, almost empty, and they could reach it speedily, as it stood on
the seashore, north of the Forum. The fugitives would be entirely at