OF THE EVIL REPORT OF HIS INIQUITY Before long all those who dwelt thereabouts began to censure me roundly, complaining that I paid far less attention to their needs than I might and should have done, and that at least I could do something for them through my preaching.

As a result, I returned thither frequently, to be of service to them in whatsoever way I could.

Regarding this there was no lack of hateful murmuring, and the thing which sincere charity induced me to do was seized upon by the wickedness of my detractors as the subject of shameless outcry.
They declared that I, who of old could scarcely endure to be parted from her I loved, was still swayed by the delights of fleshly lust.
Many times I thought of the complaint of St.Jerome in his letter to Asella regarding those women whom he was falsely accused of loving, when he said (Epist.

xcix): "I am charged with nothing save the fact of my sex, and this charge is made only because Paula is setting forth to Jerusalem." And again: "Before I became intimate in the household of the saintly Paula, the whole city was loud in my praise, and nearly every one deemed me deserving of the highest honours of priesthood.

But I know that my way to the kingdom of Heaven lies through good and evil report alike." When I pondered over the injury which slander had done to so great a man as this, I was not a little consoled thereby.