"Speaking of creeds, Sah-luma"--said Theos at last, looking down with a curious sense of compassion and protection at his companion's slight, graceful form--"What religion is it that dominates this city and people? To-day, through want of knowledge, it seems I committed a nearly unpardonable offence by gazing at the beauty of the Virgin Priestess when I should have knelt face-hidden to her benediction,--thou must tell me something of the common laws of worship, that I err not thus blindly again." Sah-luma smiled. "The common laws of worship are the common laws of custom,"--he replied--"No more,--no less. And in this we are much like other nations. We believe in no actual Creed,--who does? We accept a certain given definition of a supposititious Divinity, together with the suitable maxims and code of morals accompanying that definition, ... we call this Religion, . . and we wear it as we wear our clothing for the sake of necessity and decency, though truly we are not half so concerned about it as about the far more interesting details of taste in attire. Still, we have grown used to our doctrine, and some of us will fight with each other for the difference of a word respecting it,--and as it contains within itself many seeds of discord and contradiction, such dissensions are frequent, especially among the priests, who, were they but true to their professed vocation, should be able to find ways of smoothing over all apparent inconsistencies and maintaining peace and order. Of course we, in union with all civilized communities, worship the Sun, even as thou must do,--in this one leading principle at least, our faith is universal!" Theos bent his head in assent. He was scarcely conscious of the action, but at that moment he felt, with Sah-luma, that there was no other form of Divinity acknowledged in the world than the refulgent Orb that gladdens and illumines earth, and visibly controls the seasons. "And yet--" went on Sah-luma thoughtfully,--"the well-instructed know through our scientists and astronomers (many of whom are now languishing in prison for the boldness of their researches and discoveries) that the Sun is no divinity at all, but simply a huge planet,--a dense body surrounded by a luminous, flame-darting atmosphere,--neither self-acting nor omnipotent, but only one of many similar orbs moving in strict obedience to fixed mathematical laws. Nevertheless this knowledge is wisely kept back as much as possible from the multitude,--for, were science to unveil her marvels too openly to semi-educated and vulgarly constituted minds, the result would be, first Atheism, next Republicanism, and finally Anarchy and Ruin. If these evils,--which like birds of prey continually hover about all great kingdoms,--are to be averted, we must, for the welfare of the country and people, hold fast to some stated form and outward observance of religious belief." He paused. Theos gave him a quick, searching glance.