be just
that the Omniscient Being should punish us for those crimes which we
cannot prevent, and which are allotted to us by destiny?"

"Japhet, you argue well; but you are in error, because, like most of
those of the Christian church, you understand not the sacred writings,
nor did I until I knew my wife. Her creed is, I believe, correct; and
what is more, adds weight to the truths of the Bible."

"I thought that gipsies had no religion."

"You are not the only one who supposes so. It is true that the majority
of the tribe are held by the higher castes as serfs, and are not
instructed; but with--if I may use the expression--the aristocracy of
them it is very different, and their creed I have adopted."

"I should wish to hear their creed," replied I.

"Hear it then. Original sin commenced in heaven--when the angels
rebelled against their God--not on earth."

"I will grant that sin originated first in heaven."

"Do you think that a great, a good God, ever created any being for its
destruction and eternal misery, much less an angel? Did he not foresee
their rebellion?"

"I grant it."

"This world was not peopled with the image of God until after the fall
of the angels: it had its living beings, its monsters perhaps, but not a
race of men with eternal souls. But it was peopled, as we see it now
is, to enable the legions of angels who fell to return to their former
happy state--as a pilgrimage by which they might obtain their pardons,
and resume their seats in heaven. Not a child is born, but the soul of
some fallen cherub enters into the body to work out its salvation. Many
do, many do not, and then they have their task to recommence anew; for
the spirit once created is immortal, and cannot be destroyed; and the
Almighty is all goodness, and would ever pardon."

"Then you suppose there is no such thing as eternal punishment."

"Eternal!--no. Punishment there is, but not eternal. When the legions
of angels fell, some were not so perverse as others: they soon
re-obtained their seats, even when, as children, having passed through
the slight ordeal, they have been summoned back to heaven; but others
who, from their infancy, show how bad were their natures, have many
pilgrimages to perform before they can be purified. This is, in itself,
a punishment. What other punishment they incur between their
pilgrimages we know not; but this is certain, that no one was created to
be punished eternally."

"But al