Silva said it was a great
destiny; yes, and that it meant turning one's back on marriage."
"That is right," said Godfrey, in an indescribable tone, "there is no
marriage--there are only revolting, abominable, unspeakable rites and
ceremonies. I ran across Professor Sutro, the Orientalist, to-day, and
had a talk with him about it. He says the worship of Siva is merely
the worship of the reproductive principle, as it runs through all
creation, and that the details of this worship are inconceivably
disgusting. That is the sort of destiny Miss Vaughan has chosen."
My hands were clammy with the horror of it.
"We must save her!" I said, hoarsely. "Of course she doesn't
know--doesn't suspect! We must get her away from Silva!"
"Undoubtedly we must do something," Godfrey agreed. "I don't know how
we can get her away from Silva, but we might get Silva away from her.
Couldn't you arrest him on suspicion and keep him locked up for two or
three days, Simmonds?"
"I might," Simmonds grunted.
"And while he's away, you can work with her, Lester; take Mrs. Royce
to see her, give her a hint of what Saivaism really is--or get Mrs.
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