So Heraclian has actually sailed for Italy ?' 'His armament was met on the high seas by Alexandrian merchantmen, three weeks ago.' 'And Orestes hardens his heart more and more ?' 'Ay, Pharaoh that he is; or rather, the heathen woman hardens it for him.' 'I always feared that woman above all the schools of the heathen,' said Arsenius.

'But the Count Heraclian, whom I always held for the wisest as well as the most righteous of men! Alas!--alas! what virtue will withstand, when ambition enters the heart!' 'Fearful, truly,' said Peter, 'is that same lust of power: but for him, I have never trusted him since he began to be indulgent to those Donatists.' 'Too true.

So does one sin beget another.' 'And I consider that indulgence to sinners is the worst of all sins whatsoever.' 'Not of all, surely, reverend sir ?' said Pambo humbly.

But Peter, taking no notice of the interruption, went on to Arsenius-- 'And now, what answer am I to bear back from your wisdom to his holiness ?' 'Let me see--let me see.

He might--it needs consideration--I ought to know more of the state of parties.