"God bless my soul!" said Dom Diego, "am I dreaming still?"
His sense of dream increased when Uriel went on to repeat the story of his excommunication.
"And the ban—is it still in force?" he interrupted.
"It has not been removed," said Uriel sadly.
The burly graybeard sprang to his feet. "And with such a brand upon thy brow thou didst dare speak to my daughter!"
"Father!" cried Ianthe.
"Father me not! He hath beguiled us here under false pretences. He hath made us violate the solemn decree of the synagogue. He is outlawed—he and his house and his food.—Sinner! The viands thou hast given us, what of them? Is thy meat ritually prepared?"
"Thou, a man of culture, carest for these childish things?"
"Childish things? Wherefore, then, have I left my Portugal?"
"All ceremonies are against Right Reason," said Uriel in low tones, his face grown deadly white.