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At a sign from him the legionaries ascended to the seats allotted to the philosophic portion of the audience, and a torrent of wisdom in their persons, including that of Leaena, flung forth with the energy of a catapult, descended abruptly and violently to the earth.
"Coward!" yelled well-nigh every voice in the amphitheatre. "No," answered the youth with a grave smile, "Christian." His shield and helmet followed his sword, he stood entirely defenceless before his adversary. "Throw him to my lion," cried Theocles. "Or thy lioness," suggested Hermon. This allusion to Leaena provoked a burst of laughter.
"Thank Æsculapius we are rid of her," he added, as Leaena vanished from the apartment. "I wish I knew that," said Porphyry. And indeed after no long time a note came up from Theocles, who was sure that Plotinus would not refuse him that privilege of instructing a female disciple which had been already, with such manifest advantage to philosophical research, accorded to his colleague Hermon.
'Right, says Leaena, 'I am dying to see an exhibition of gladiators. Theocles demurs at first, expecting to have to find the money but Leaena tugs at his beard, and he gives in.
Torva leaena lupum sequitur, lupus ipse capellam; Florentem cytisum sequitur lasciva capella. VIRG. Eccl. ii. v. 63. The greedy lioness the wolf pursues, The wolf the kid, the wanton kid the browse.
Leaena elucidated the problem by a still more violent blow on his face; torrents of blood gushed forth indeed, but only from the nose. The sword doubled up; it had neither point nor edge. Encouraged by this opportune discovery the philosophers attacked each other with infinite spirit and valour.
"Get them away," whispered the disciple, "and I will tell thee." Plotinus hastily conceded the point raised with reference to the interesting Pannychis, and the philosophers went off to effect their exchange of quarters. As soon as the room was clear, he repeated: "What does the man mean?" "I suppose he is thinking of Leaena," said Porphyry.
Leaena was hardly less versed in the combats of Mars than in those of Venus, having, in fact, commenced her distinguished career as a camp-follower of the Emperor Gordian. A tremendous stroke caught him on the hand; his blade dropped to the earth; why did not the fingers follow?
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