Amine narrated to Philip what had occurred between her and the priest Mathias, and by what means she had rid herself of his unwished for surveillance.
“And were you practising your mother’s arts, Amine?”
“Nay, not practising them, for I could not recall them, but I was trying to recover them.”
“Why so, Amine? this must not be. It is, as the good father said, ‘unholy.’ Promise me you will abandon them now and for ever.”
“If that act be unholy, Philip, so is your mission. You would deal and co-operate with the spirits of another world—I would do no more. Abandon your terrific mission—abandon your seeking after disembodied spirits, stay at home with you Amine, and she will cheerfully comply with your request.”
“Mine is an awful summons from the Most High.”
“Then the Most High permits your communion with those who are not of this world?”
“He does; you know even the priests do not gainsay it although they shudder at the very thought.”
“If then He permits to one, He will to another; nay, ought that I can do is but with His permission.”
“Yes, Amine, so does He permit evil to stalk on the earth but He countenances it not.”