‘And let philosophy be destroyed?’
‘That it never will be, as long as Hypatia lives to illuminate the earth; and, as far as I am concerned, I promise you a clear stage and—a great deal of favour; as is proved by my visiting you publicly at this moment, before I have given audience to one of the four hundred bores, great and small, who are waiting in the tribunal to torment me. Do help me and advise me. What am I to do?’
‘I have told you.’
‘Ah, yes, as to general principles. But out of the lecture-room I prefer a practical expedient for instance, Cyril writes to me here—plague on him! he would not let me even have a week’s hunting in peace-that there is a plot on the part of the Jews to murder all the Christians. Here is the precious document—do look at it, in pity. For aught I know or care, the plot may be an exactly opposite one, and the Christians intend to murder all the Jews. But I must take some notice of the letter.’
‘I do not see that, your excellency.’
‘Why, if anything did happen, after all, conceive the missives which would be sent flying off to Constantinople against me!’
‘Let them go. If you are secure in the consciousness of innocence, what matter?’
‘Consciousness of innocence? I shall lose my prefecture!’
‘Your danger would just be as great if you took notice of it. Whatever happened, you would be accused of favouring the Jews.’
‘And really there might be some truth in the accusation. How the finances of the provinces would go on without their kind assistance, I dare not think. If those Christians would but lend me their money, instead of building alms-houses and hospitals with it, they might burn the Jews’ quarter to-morrow, for aught I care. But now....’