Angels and Women (1924)

106 ANGELS AND WOMEN"No doubt thou art still deluded by fantastichope. This will soon be dissipated, andthou wilt acknowledge that God has forsakenthe earth. Thou wilt abandon the fallacyof prayer, and curse thy fate and the Devas,as I do at this moment."THE PR1ESTS OF SATANASAstonished by such a history, and shockedat the impiety of Minerva, I hesitated toreply. Just then a procession of strange figures,passing a narrow pathway which ledfrom the city, diverted our attention. Inadvance was a band of men, hideous inaspect, with scarlet feathers on their heads,upon their bodies purple tunics, emblazonedwith yellow dragons, and in their handssharp scimitars."The Priests t" said Minerva with ashudder."Who are the Priests?" I inquired."Debased, truth- hating, power-loving