“Well, it began with a scandal. A rumour got about that he had admitted a woman to see the Serpent, and some said such conduct was nothing short of blasphemous. But that was either hushed up or contradicted. Contradicted, I think, and then hushed up.”
“Would it be such a terrible thing for a woman to see the Serpent?”
Miss Crokerly smiled.
“Well, there’s a great deal of superstition and ignorance mixed up with our religion, as all simple and right-minded people can see. But it grows in suitable soil, so it’s strong and holds well together.”
“And did it not please the people that a woman had seen the Serpent?”
“Naturally not, after thousands of years of prejudice. Some of the best—by that I mean the narrowest—women I know withdrew their support (they were extremely wealthy) from the temple for some months during the scandal. They said they felt the brightness of the Serpent had been sullied.”
“Absurd!” said Rosalie; and the blood began to course a little quicker through her veins from indignation.
“Well,” said Miss Crokerly slowly, “one can’t judge quickly. Of course you know the Great High Priest is not allowed to have a wife. She is separated from him the day he takes up office, and if he did admit a woman from idle curiosity to see the Serpent—well, judged from one point, it was very serious.”
“Maybe,” said Rosalie, whose tongue was itching to say much more. “But do you think there was any truth in it?”
“Well, yes. A woman’s handkerchief with a red rose embroidered in the corner was found upon the altar.”