'It was in those first days, Probus,' continued the other, 'when I found
myself deserted and dishonoured, left alone to be the guardian of my
helpless child, exiled for ever from a home that I had myself forsaken,
that I repented me in earnest of my misdeeds, that I sought wisdom from
the book of salvation, and the conduct of life from the Fathers of the
Church. It was at that time that I determined to devote my child, like
Samuel of old, to the service of heaven, and myself to the reformation
of our degraded worship. As I have already told you, I forsook my abode
and changed my name (remember it is as 'Numerian' that you must
henceforth address me), that of my former self no remains might be left,
that of my former companions not one might ever discover and tempt me
again. With incessant care have I shielded my daughter from the
contamination of the world. As a precious jewel in a miser's hands she
has been watched and guarded in her father's house. Her destiny is to
soothe the afflicted, to watch the sick, to succour the forlorn, when I,
her teacher, have restored to the land the dominion of its ancient faith
and the guidance of its faultless Gospel.
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