DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12664#0196
SPECULATIVE THEOLOGY. 185
oured of a Moslem girl, and as they could not by
any possibility marry and retain their separate re-
ligions, it was necessary that one of them should
change. The Moslem dare not, for death by the
hands of her own friends would be the certain con-
sequence, while the Christian, instead of running
any temporal risk, gains with his bride the protec-
tion and favour of the Mussulmans. Paul seemed
rather scandalized at this information, and began
to catechise the priest on his own account. I could
not understand the conversation, but could judge
from the movements, that Paul was examining him
on that cardinal point, the sign of the cross. All
appeared to go smoothly enough for a little while,
but I soon noticed the flashing of Paul's eyes, and
sundry other symptoms of indignation and con-
tempt. I asked him several times what it was all
about; but, without answering, he walked back-
ward and forward, slapping his hands under the
priest's nose, and talking louder and faster than
ever, and I had to take hold of him and ask him
sharply what the plague was the matter, before I
could get a word out of him. " A pretty Christian,"
said Paul; " fast fifty-six days for Lent, when we
fast only forty-six : forty that our Saviour was in
the mount, and six Sundays." I told him there
was not so much difference between them as I
thought, as it was only ten days ; he looked at me
for a moment, and then, as if fearful of trusting
himself, shrugged his shoulders, and marched out
of the chapel. During all this time, the condi-
tion of the poor priest was pitiable and amusing;
Q2
oured of a Moslem girl, and as they could not by
any possibility marry and retain their separate re-
ligions, it was necessary that one of them should
change. The Moslem dare not, for death by the
hands of her own friends would be the certain con-
sequence, while the Christian, instead of running
any temporal risk, gains with his bride the protec-
tion and favour of the Mussulmans. Paul seemed
rather scandalized at this information, and began
to catechise the priest on his own account. I could
not understand the conversation, but could judge
from the movements, that Paul was examining him
on that cardinal point, the sign of the cross. All
appeared to go smoothly enough for a little while,
but I soon noticed the flashing of Paul's eyes, and
sundry other symptoms of indignation and con-
tempt. I asked him several times what it was all
about; but, without answering, he walked back-
ward and forward, slapping his hands under the
priest's nose, and talking louder and faster than
ever, and I had to take hold of him and ask him
sharply what the plague was the matter, before I
could get a word out of him. " A pretty Christian,"
said Paul; " fast fifty-six days for Lent, when we
fast only forty-six : forty that our Saviour was in
the mount, and six Sundays." I told him there
was not so much difference between them as I
thought, as it was only ten days ; he looked at me
for a moment, and then, as if fearful of trusting
himself, shrugged his shoulders, and marched out
of the chapel. During all this time, the condi-
tion of the poor priest was pitiable and amusing;
Q2