166 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
presence of a man, from the slightest contact with 
whom she had been taught to believe that personal 
defilement must accrue. She spoke not, but made 
another effort to retreat ; the stranger immediately 
placed himself before her and prevented the accomplish- 
ment of her intention. This was embarrassing ; her 
agitation increased every moment lest her husband 
should surprise her in a situation so equivocal, and in 
the presence too of one from whose very glance he 
would have maintained that pollution was conveyed. 
After making several attempts without success to quit 
the spot where she had been so unexpectedly intruded 
upon, she ventured to expostulate with the stranger 
for detaining her, and begged he would allow her to 
proceed. 
“ So you shall,” he replied in a bland tone, which 
was accompanied with an equally bland smile, at the 
same time curling between his fingers a pair of strong 
black mustachios ; but it must be with me.” 
“ Surely you don’t intend to force compliance with 
a request which you know, independent of my will, 
the laws of that religion which I have been taught 
to venerate strictly forbid me to entertain ?” 
" Never think of your religion, which is the silliest 
delusion that ever enslaved the mind of a pretty wo- 
man. I ’ll soon convince you that a parcel of hideous 
dumb gods are not such reasonable objects of vene- 
ration as a young Mussulmaun, who can love no less 
ardently than a young Brahmin, whilst the latter 
affects greater affection for a divinity of clumsy stone 
than of beautiful flesh.” 
" It is impossible I should listen to your blasphe- 
