retractation, must forfeit all I might leave them? It was this question
of inheritance only that induced my father to have us baptized and to
make a pretense of Christianity. He set out for Petra with his Lucretius
in his satchel--I packed it with my own hands into his money-bag--to put
in a claim to supply grain to the 'Rock city.' He was slain on his way.
home; most likely by his servant Anubis, who certainly knew what money he
had with him, and who vanished and left no trace. Because--about the
same time--a band of Saracens had fallen on some Christian anchorites and
travellers, in the district between Petra and Aila, your mother chose to
assume a right to call our father a martyr! But she knew his opinions
full well, I tell you, and shed many a tear over them, too.--Now she has
expended vast sums on church-building, she has opened the Xenodochium and
pours her money by lavish handfuls clown the insatiable throats of monks
and priests. To what end? To have her husband recognized as a martyr.
Hitherto her toil and money have been wasted. In my estimation the
Bishop is a perfectly detestable tyrant, and if I know him at all he will
take all she will give and never grant her wish. Now she is preparing
her great move, and hopes to startle him into compliance by a new marvel.
She thinks that, like a juggler who turns a white egg black, she can turn
a heathen district into a Christian one by a twist of her finger. Well--
so far as I am concerned I will have nothing to do with the trick."

During this harangue Marcus had alternately gazed at the floor and fixed
his large eyes in anguish on his brother's face. For some minutes he
found nothing to reply, and he was evidently going through a bitter
mental struggle. Demetrius spoke no more, but arranged the sheets of
papyrus that strewed the table. At length Marcus, after a deep sigh,
broke out in a tone of fervent conviction and with a blissful smile that
lighted up his whole face: