“To what unexpected cause, most righteous sir, am I indebted for the honor of this present visit?  Methinks I recognize the countenance of the famous Zel, the High-Priest of the Sacrificial Altar—­if so, ’tis marvellous so great a man should venture forth alone and unattended, to the house of one who loves not priestly company, and who hath at best for all professors of religion a somewhat indifferent welcome!”

The Priest smiled coldly.

“Most rightly dost thou speak, Sah-luma”—­he answered, his measured, metallic voice seeming to strike a wave of chilling discord through the air, “and most frankly hast thou thus declared one of thy many deficiencies!  Atheist as thou art and to that manner born, thou art in very deed outside the pale of all religious teaching and consolement, . . nevertheless there is much gentle mercy shown thee by the Virgin Priestess of Nagaya".. here he solemnly bent his head and made the rapid sign of a Circle on his breast, . . “who, knowing thy great genius, doth ever strive with thoughtful zeal to draw thee closely within the saving Silver Veil!  Yet it is possible that even her patience with thy sins may tire at last,—­wherefore while there is time, offer due penance to the offended gods and humble thy stiff heart before the Holy Maid, lest she expel thee from her sight forever.”  He paused, . . a satirical, half-amused smile hovered round Sah-luma’s delicate mouth—­his eyes flashed.

“All this is the mere common rhetoric of the Temple Craft”—­he said indolently..  “Why not, good Zel, give plainer utterance to thine errand?—­we know each other’s follies well enough to spare formalities!  Lysia has sent thee hither, . . what then? ... what says the beauteous Virgin to her willing slave?”

An undertone of mockery rang through the languid silvery sweetness of his accents, and the Priest’s dark brows knitted in an irritated frown.

“Thou art over-flippant of speech, Sah-luma!” he observed austerely.  “Take heed thou be not snared into misfortune by the glibness of thy tongue!  Thou dost speak of the chaste Lysia with unseemly lightness.—­learn to be reverent, and so shalt thou be wiser!”

Sah-luma laughed and settled himself more easily on his couch, turning in such a manner as to look the stately Zel full in the face.  They exchanged one glance, expressive as it seemed of some mutual secret understanding,—­for the Priest coughed as though he were embarrassed, and stroked his beard deliberately with one hand in an endeavor to hide the strange smile that, despite his efforts to conceal it, visibly lightened his cold eyes to a sudden tigerish brilliancy.