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With a faint sigh, Philothea answered, "Had the good old man preferred gold to wisdom, I should have loved him less; nor would his instructions have made me such a wife as Paralus deserves; yet Pericles would have better liked the union. He has obtained from his son a solemn promise never to speak to me of marriage.
In his preface to the Treatise on the Love of God, he says: "Three or four years afterwards I published the Introduction to a Devout Life upon the occasion, and in the manner which I have put down in the preface thereof: regarding which I have nothing to say to you, dear reader, save only that, though this little book has in general had a gracious and kind acceptance, yes, even amongst the gravest Prelates and Doctors of the Church, yet it has not escaped the rude censure of some who have not merely blamed me but bitterly and publicly attacked me, because I tell Philothea that dancing is an action indifferent in itself, and that for recreation's sake one may make puns and jokes.
Philothea answered: "I dreamed that I sat upon a bank of violets, with Paralus by my side; and he wove a garland and placed it on my head. Suddenly, golden sounds seemed floating in the air, melting into each other with liquid melody. It was such a scene as Paralus often described, when his soul lived apart from the body, and only returned at intervals, to bring strange tidings of its wanderings.
On this subject he speaks thus to Philothea: "Enter readily into the confraternities of the place in which you are living, and specially into those whose exercises are the most fruitful and edifying.
Philothea supposed the stranger was about to follow him; and without raising her head, as she bent over her grandfather's couch, she said: "He is feeble, and needs repose. In the days of his, strength, he would not have thus left you to the courtesy of our Athenian guest." "Would to the gods that I had sought him sooner!" rejoined Chrysippus.
I ask you, Philothea, would it be proper for a Bishop to wish to lead the solitary life of a Carthusian monk?
"The second time, I whispered, 'Lo, the soul seeketh to ascend! And the third time I said, 'Behold the winged separates from that which hath no wings. When life returns, Paralus will have remembrance of these words." "Oh, restore him! Restore him!" exclaimed Philothea, in tones of agonized entreaty.
Eudora sent her little playmate a living peacock, which proved even more acceptable than her flock of marble sheep with their painted shepherd. To Melissa was sent a long affectionate epistle, with the dying bequest of Philothea, and many a valuable token of Eudora's gratitude.
In a tone of offended pride, Eudora answered: "Philothea, if I were what you seem to believe me, your words would be appropriate; but I have never had any other thought than that of being the acknowledged wife of Alcibiades." "Has he then made you believe that he would divorce Hipparete?" "Yes he has solemnly sworn it. Such a transaction would have nothing remarkable in it.
Philothea, smiling at her childish prattle, replied, "It was gorgeous, and well fancied; but I preferred Plato's simple robe, distinguished only by the fineness of its materials, and the tasteful adjustment of its folds." "I never saw a philosopher that dressed so well as Plato," said Eudora.
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