us stone.

A stone altar curiously carved, on which stood a green bronze turtle
of large size, occupied one side of the front of the pavement. The
turtle held its head stretched upward, and through its open mouth a
thin stream of blue smoke ascended. On the wide flat back of the
turtle lay an open volume, the sacred book of Egyplosis.

The priest and priestess stood beside the altar, each reading an
alternate stanza from the ritual of the goddess. While reading, the
priests with loud voice followed the intoning of the high priest, and
the priestesses that of the high priestess, as follows:

THE RITUAL OF HOPELESS LOVE.

PRIESTS.

Harikar is the supreme soul, and the goddess Lyone his
supreme incarnation. Equally free from asceticism and
indulgence, she treads the golden path.

PRIESTESSES.

Let us joyfully obey our adorable goddess, who commands us
in all manner of spiritual joys; let us follow her glorious
example, preserving purity of heart and life.

PRIESTS.

Let us adore a cupid agonized, worshipping the goddess of
hopeless, tender, romantic love. Let us, with our
counterparts, the most lovely of maidens, become twin-souls
for evermore.

PRIESTESSES.

Let us love the shapely and active youths, the young men of
soul and intellect, likewise those of courage and daring,
whose hearts and minds are in complete unity.

PRIESTS.

Let us add splendor of body to greatness of soul. May we
excel in the chase, the dance and the race. Let us drink
ambrosial wine, and eat the juiciest of meats, and clothe
ourselves with the finest and strongest of tissues.

[Illustration: THE PRIEST AND PRIESTESS STOOD BESIDE THE ALTAR, EACH
READING AN ALTERNATE STANZA FROM THE RITUAL OF THE GODDESS.]

PRIESTESSES.

Let us have a beautiful companionship with our counterpart
souls. Let us rejoice in the sun, in the free winds of the
sky, in the glory of flowers, in the pride of horses and
elephants richly caparisoned. Let us treasure jewels. Let us
possess emeralds, turquoises, diamonds and rubies. Let us
array ourselves with marvellous stuffs, dyed with the
richest colorings.

PRIESTS.

Let us here in search of