The Surprises of Life

had fallen the peace of the grave. Divine sleep by oblivion shielded the children of men from evil and by dreams comforted them with hope. Some of the windows, however, w

square, the water of fountains murmured around

aved with wood, bordered by sumptuous shops where all the pleasant things of life were on sale, this road invited idleness to leisurely promenades, invariably ending, however, at the foot of the cross. For greater certainty, a moving platform took people thither, saving them the trouble of exerting themselves. As to the way of the elect, likewise called "the way of the few," it stretched along triumphantly, indescribable in splendour, amid monuments of art, statues, marvellous trees, blossoming bowers, fragrant lawns, singing birds, all that the

tics, shadows are seen moving. Their outlines increase in distinctness, and one after the oth

or his safety. Incessu patuit Homo. The man from "the road of the few" treads the earth as if he owned it, and seems to call the stars to witness that he is the supreme justification of the universe. Each with his different gait, they proceed toward

eous cries cro

hra

mue

rde

e you do

d y

d y

as each waits

t of the cross!" said

cai of the tribe of the few, belo

iddle class, softly. "Apostasy is the name for those who go o

g changed Lord, I need compensating gifts, and-God, though He has become Jesus, son of Joseph, cannot hear me when His crowd of courtiers is besieging Him wit

Samuel, "that I am her

othing from yours," M

as if really curious, and at the same time

am converted," answer

he forms of worship. In men's eyes, as in those of God himself, the ceremonies of the cul

You go to the temple at prescribed times, you perform the rites scrupulously, with pr

l, and sent by Jehovah, as is proved by His success. He must be a jealous God

t is it!" exclai

, "what was it that le

Jehovah does not keep His promises, thought I, what right has He to the fidelity of those whom He leaves unrewarded? Give and receive is the rule. If I receive nothing, God himself has no claim to anything from me. On the other hand, I observed that the followers of Jesus possessed the earth, conquered treasures which they reserved strictly for themselves, being forever anxious to proclaim their indifference to worldly goods while inordinately preoccupied with co

I would gladly turn over my business to y

at stands in the wa

hrist

Ye

his daughter. My signature is honoured at the bank and at the chu

somewhat far,"

the altars, in the niches? Those of Jews. All Jews! Peter, the first pope-nothing less!-Paul, Joseph, Simon, Thomas, all the apostles. Even to the Jewess Mary and her mother Anna, who are regularly worshipped and who obtain favours from their son and grandson, Jesus, who Himself proclaimed that He had come to fulfill the law of Moses. Now there is not and there cannot be any other law than to vanquish one's rivals,

were silent

after a time to Mordecai, "that yo

me to be-converted-for the sake of gain." (This shaft was accompanied by a sidelong glance at Ephraim, who did not flinch.) "I lived in peaceful enjoyment of the things money can give, and it can give almost everything, as you know. Sovereigns loved me. I entertained them in my various dwellings. They pushed friendliness to th

t more you could w

of Brussels was the equal of earth's kings. More princes ap

el

h, placed an extinguisher over th

are r

rs for that very reason attacked us. Whereas, had we, according to our traditions, offered our backs to their blows, our enemies would presently have desisted, from weariness. Now the harm is done. We are contemned. No more priests after that sat on my benches. My noble friends deserted my drawing rooms, leaving their unpaid notes in my pocketbook. I went hunting with no company but the two hundred gamekeepers for the battue. Society forsook me. I was no longer "esteemed." Now, let me declare to you that there is no more exquisite torture than to see the friendship of the great go up in smoke. Unhesitatingly,

fied. But Samuel gave

unce without serious reasons. A base money lust guided you, Ephraim. And you, Mordecai, were moved by love of the approbation of the majority. Which shows that man is never

he others. "Why we

came here even now to s

hat you say? Say

ion simply because my co

ent, that the neighbouring windows shook. They uttered guttural cries, they tossed into the affrighted air grunts of raucous merriment, before the unheard-of monstrosity of the case. The

simpletons as to swallow your lie. Dog! Reprobate! Accursed! B

fell to b

cene, attracted by the noise. "You, over there! Stop pomme

had quieted down. They separated hastily, without g

beneath the stars. He is still there. Without disrespect,