Hypatia had always avoided carefully discussing with Philammon any of those points on which she differed from his former faith.

She was content to let the divine light of philosophy penetrate by its own power, and educe its own conclusions.

But one day, at the very time at which this history reopens, she was tempted to speak more openly to her pupil than she yet had done.

Her father had introduced him, a few days before, to a new work of hers on Mathematics; and the delighted and adoring look with which the boy welcomed her, as he met her in the Museum Gardens, pardonably tempted her curiosity to inquire what miracles her own wisdom might have already worked.

She stopped in her walk, and motioned her father to begin a conversation with Philammon.
'Well!' asked the old man, with an encouraging smile, 'and how does our pupil like his new--' 'You mean my conic sections, father?
It is hardly fair to expect an unbiased answer in my presence.' 'Why so ?' said Philammon.