Anatole France, THAIS, ed. ORIGINAL 1891 BOUND
Half Moroccan Boxed
CC0010
Paphnuce, an ascetic hermit of the Egyptian desert, journeys to Alexandria
to find Thaïs, the libertine beauty whom he knew in his youth. Masquerading as
a dandy, he engages her in conversation about eternity, surprisingly succeeding
in converting her to Christianity. Thaïs then becomes a nun, but despite his
spiritual devotion, Paphnuce remains haunted by memories of her sinful past. The fire of love ignited by their encounter persists
throughout his life of prayers and asceticism1 .