Ali Seyyid [with an admiring gaze]. Madam, you would be a prize so well worth winning, that you almost tempt me. The first of our secrets is that we are all things to all men, until we are quite sure of the sympathy of the listener; then we venture a step further.
Mrs Allmash. How wise that is! and how unlike the system adopted by Christians! You may be sure of my most entire sympathy.
Ali Seyyid. The next principle is—but this is a profound secret, which you must promise not to repeat—the rejection of all fixed rules of religion or morality. It really does not matter in the least what you do: the internal disposition is the only thing of any value. Now, as far as I understand, you have already got rid of the religion, or you would not be looking for a new one; all you have to do is to get rid of the morality, and there you are.
Mrs Allmash [with an expression of horror and alarm]. Yes, there I should be indeed. Oh, Mr Allyside, what a dreadful man you
are! Who started such an extraordinary doctrine?
Ali Seyyid. Well, his name was Hassan-bin-Saba—commonly known among Westerns as the “Old Man of the Mountain.” His followers, owing to the value they attached to murder as a remedial agent, have been known by the name of the “Assassins.”
Mrs Allmash. Oh, good gracious!
Lady Fritterly. My dear Louisa, what is the matter? You look quite frightened.
Ali Seyyid. Mrs Allmash is a little alarmed because I proposed a new morality for the future, as well as a new religion.
Mr Coldwaite. Excuse me; but in discussions of this sort, I think it is most important that we should clearly understand the meanings of the terms we employ. Now I deny that any difference subsists between religion and morality. That any such distinction should exist in men’s minds is due to the fact that dogma is inseparably connected with religion. If you eliminate dogma, what does religion consist of but morality? Substitute the love of Humanity for the love of the Unknowable—which is the subject of worship of Mr Germsell; or of the Deity, who is the object