Our services are magnificently beautiful, and I should feel like a culprit
if debarred from their holiness. As to fasting, you and I have agreed that
any physical punishment that keeps our thoughts one moment from God, and
puts them on the feast that is to come, is mere sham and pretence. After
these, Father, wherein does our religion show itself?"

"Surely," he replied with some bitterness, "we hold few Jewish rites.
Well, and so you think you can keep these up? And you, Dr. Kemp?"

Dr. Kemp had been listening attentively while Ruth spoke. His eyes kindled
brightly as he answered, --

"Why should she not? If all her orisons have made her as beautiful, body
and soul, as she is to me, what is to prevent her from so continuing? And
if my wife would permit me to go with her upon her holidays to your
beautiful Temple, no one would listen more reverently than I. Loving her,
what she finds worshipful could find nothing but respect in me."

Plainly Mr. Levice had forgotten the wellspring that was to enrich their
lives; but he perceived that some impregnable armor encased them that made
every shot of his harmless.

"I can understand," he ventured, "that no gentleman with self-respect
would, at least outwardly, show disrespect for any person's religion. You,
Doctor, might even come to regard with awe a faith that has withstood
everything and has never yet been sneered at, however its followers have
been persecuted. Many of its minor forms are slowly dying out and will
soon be remembered only historically; this history belongs to every one."

"Certainly. Let us, however, stick to the point in question. You are a