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Spirit of Godlooked into her very soul； and then spat in her face。
She calmly wiped her face and continued to walk on。 He followed；
glaring at her in pious anger； as if she had been hell itself。 He was
thinking how he could avenge Christ in order that Christ should not
avenge Himself； when he saw a drop of blood that had dripped from the
foot of Thais on the sand。 Then a hitherto unknown influence entered
his opened heart； sobs rose to his lips； he wept； he ran and knelt
before her； called her his sister； and kissed her bleeding feet。 He
murmured a hundred times； 〃My sister； my sister； my mother； O most
holy！〃
He prayed
〃Angels of heaven； receive carefully this drop of blood； and bear it
before the throne of the Lord。 And may a miraculous anemone blossom on
the sand sprinkled with the blood of Thais； that those who see the
flower may recover purity of heart and feeling。 O holy； holy； most
holy Thais！〃
As he prayed and prophesied thus； a lad passed on an ass。 Paphnutius
ordered him to descend； seated Thais on the ass； and led it by the
bridle。 Towards evening they came to a canal shaded by fine trees； he
tied the ass to the trunk of a date palm； and sitting on a mossy stone
he shared with Thais a loaf； which they ate with salt and hyssop。 They
drank fresh water in their hands； and talked of things eternal。 She
said
〃I have never drunk water so pure nor breathed an air so light； and I
feel that God floats in the breezes that pass。〃
〃Look！ it is the evening； O my sister。 The blue shadows of night cover
the hills。 But soon thou wilt see shining in the dawn the tabernacles
of Light； soon thou wilt behold shine forth the roses of the eternal
morning。〃
They journeyed all night； and； while the crescent moon gleamed on the
silver crests of the waves； they sang psalms and hymns。 When the sun
rose； the Libyan desert stretched before them like a huge lion…skin。
At the edge of the desert； and close to a few palm…trees； some white
huts shimmered in the morning light。
〃Are those the tabernacles of Light； father？〃 asked Thais。
〃Even so； my daughter and my sister。 Yonder is the House of Salvation；
where I will confine you with my own hands。〃
Soon they saw a number of women busy around the buildings； like bees
round their hives。 There were some who baked bread； or prepared
vegetables； many were spinning wool； and the light of heaven shone
upon them like a smile of God。 Others meditated in the shade of the
tamarisk trees； their white hands hung by their sides； for； being
filled with love； they had chosen the part of Magdalen； and performed
no work but prayer； contemplation； and ecstasy。 They were； therefore；
called the Marys； and were clad in white。 Those who worked with their
hands were called the Marthas； and wore blue robes。 All wore the hood；
but the younger ones allowed a few curls to show on their foreheads
unintentionally； it is to be presumed； since it was forbidden by the
rules。 A very old lady； tall and white； walked from cell to cell；
leaning on a staff of hard wood。 Paphnutius approached her
respectfully； kissed the hem of her veil； and said
〃The peace of the Lord be with thee； venerable Albina。 I have brought
to the hive； of which thou art queen； a bee I found lost on a
flowerless road。 I took it in the palm of my hand； and revived it with
my breath。 I give it to thee。〃
And he pointed to the actress； who knelt down before the daughter of
the Caesars。
Albina cast a piercing glance on Thais； ordered her to rise； kissed
her on the forehead； and then； turning to the monk
〃We will place her；〃 she said； 〃amongst the Marys。〃
Paphnutius then related how Thais had been brought to the House of
Salvation； and asked that she should be at once confined in a cell。
The abbess consented； and led the penitent to a hut； which had
remained empty since the death of the virgin Laeta； who had sanctified
it。 In this narrow chamber there was but a bed； a table； and a
pitcher； and Thais when she crossed the threshold； felt filled with
ineffable joy。
〃I wish to close the door myself；〃 said Paphnutius； 〃and put thereon a
seal； which Jesus will come and break with His own hands。〃
He went to the side of the spring； and took a handful of wet clay；
mixed with it a little spittle and a hair from his head； and plastered
it across the chink of the door。 Then； approaching the window； near
which Thais stood peaceful and happy； he fell on his knees and praised
the Lord three times。
〃How beautiful are the feet of her who walketh in the paths of
righteousness！ How beautiful are her feet； and how resplendent her
face！〃
He rose； lowered his hood over his eyes； and walked away slowly。
Albina called one of her virgins。
〃My daughter；〃 she said； 〃take to Thais those things which are needful
for herbread； water； and a flute with three holes。〃
PART THE THIRD
THE EUPHORBIA
Paphnutius had returned to the holy desert。 He took； near Athribis；
the boat which went up the Nile to carry food to the monastery of
Abbot Serapion。 When he disembarked； his disciples advanced to meet
him with great demonstrations of joy。 Some raised their arms to
heaven； others； prostrate on the ground； kissed the Abbot's sandals。
For they knew already what the saint had accomplished in Alexandria。
The monks generally received； by rapid and unknown means； information
concerning the safety or glory of the Church。 News spread through the
desert with the rapidity of the simoon。
When Paphnutius strode across the sand； his disciples followed him；
praising the Lord。 Flavian； who was the oldest member of the
brotherhood； was suddenly seized with a pious frenzy and began to sing
an inspired hymn
〃O blessed day！ Now is our father restored to us。
He has returned laden with fresh merits； of which we reap the benefit。
For the virtues of the father are the wealth of the children； and
the sanctity of the Abbot illuminates every cell。
Paphnutius； our father； has given a new spouse to Jesus Christ。
By his wondrous art； he has changed a black sheep into a white sheep。
And now； behold； he has returned to us； laden with fresh merits。
Like unto the bee of the Arsinoetid； heavy with the nectar of flowers。
Even as the ram of Nubia； which could hardly bear the weight of its
abundant wool。
Let us celebrate this day by mingling oil with our food。〃
When they came to the door of the Abbot's cell； they fell on their
knees； and said
〃Let our father bless us； and give each of us a measure of oil to
celebrate his return。〃
Paul the Fool； who alone had remained standing； asked； 〃Who is this
man？〃 and did not recognise Paphnutius。 But no one paid any attention
to what he said； as he was known to be devoid of intelligence； though
filled with piety。
The Abbot of Antinoe； locked in his cell； thought
〃I have at last regained the haven of my repose and happiness。 I have
returned to my fortress of contentment。 But how is it that this roof
of rushes； so dear to me； does not receive me as a friend； and the
walls say not to me； 'Thou art welcome。' Nothing has changed； since my
departure； in this abode I have chosen。 There is my table and my bed。