“It must be from the devil, Amine.”

“And why so, Philip?  May I not use the argument of your own priests, who say, ’that the power of the devil is only permitted to be used by Divine intelligence, and that it cannot be used without that permission?’ Allow it then to be sorcery, or what you please, unless by Heaven permitted, it would fail.  But I cannot see why we should suppose that it is from an evil source.  We ask for a warning in a dream to guide our conduct in doubtful circumstances.  Surely the evil one would rather lead us wrong than right!”

“Amine, we may be warned in a dream, as the patriarchs were of old; but to use mystic or unholy charms to procure a vision, is making a compact with the devil.”

“Which compact the devil could not fulfil if not permitted by a higher power.  Philip, your reasoning is false.  We are told that, by certain means, duly observed, we may procure the dreams we wish.  Our observance of these means is certainly the least we can attend to, to prove our sincerity.  Forgive me, Philip, but are not observances as necessary in your religion—­which I have embraced?  Are we not told that the omission of the mere ceremony of water to the infant will turn all future chance of happiness to misery eternal?”

Philip answered not for some time.  “I am afraid, Amine,” said he, at last, in a low tone; “I—­”

“I fear nothing, Philip, when my intentions are good,” replied Amine.  “I follow certain means to obtain an end.  What is that end?  It is to find out (if possible) what may be the will of Heaven in this perplexing case.  If it should be through the agency of the devil—­what then?  He becomes my servant, and not my master; he is permitted by Heaven to act against himself;” and Amine’s eyes darted fire, as she thus boldly expressed herself.

“Did your mother often exercise her art?” inquired Philip, after a pause.

“Not to my knowledge; but it was said that she was most expert.  She died young (as you know), or I should have known much more.  Think you, Philip, that this world is solely peopled by such dross as we are?—­things of clay—­perishable and corruptible?  Lords over beasts—­and ourselves but little better.  Have you not, from your own sacred writings, repeated acknowledgments and proofs of higher intelligences mixing up with mankind, and acting here below?  Why should what was then, not be now! and what more harm is there to apply for their aid now, than a few thousand years ago?  Why should you suppose that they were permitted on the earth then—­and not permitted now?  What has become of them?  Have they perished? have they been ordered back—­to where—­to heaven?  If to heaven—­the world and mankind have been left to the mercy of the devil and his agents.  Do you suppose that we, poor mortals, have been thus abandoned?  I tell you plainly, I think not.  We no longer have the communications with those intelligences that we once had, because, as we become more enlightened, we become more proud, and seek them not; but that they still exist—­a host of good against a host of evil, invisibly opposing each other—­is my conviction.  But, tell me, Philip, do you in your conscience believe that all that has been revealed to you is a mere dream of the imagination?”