Chapter 21
THE SQUIRE-BISHOP In a small and ill-furnished upper room of a fortified country house, sat Synesius, the Bishop of Cyrene. A goblet of wine stood beside him, on the table, but it was untasted. Slowly and sadly, by the light of a tiny lamp, he went on writing a verse or two, and then burying his face in his hand, while hot tears dropped between his fingers on the paper; till a servant entering, announced Raphael Aben-Ezra. Synesius rose, with a gesture of surprise, and hurried towards the door. 'No, ask him to come hither to me. To pass through those deserted rooms at night is more than I can bear.' And he waited for his guest at the chamber door, and as he entered, caught both his hands in his, and tried to speak; but his voice was choked within him. 'Do not speak,' said Raphael gentl
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