wn, mutilated and destroyed. That is what I require and
insist on."

"And that is what I will never consent to," cried Demetrius in a voice
like low thunder. "I cannot and will not. These things have been held
precious and sacred to men for thousands of years and I cannot, will
not, blow them off the face of the earth, as you blow a feather off your
cloak. You may go and do it yourself; you may be able to achieve it."

"What do you mean?" asked Mary drawing herself up with a glance of
indignant protest.

"Yes--if any one can do it you can!" repeated Demetrius imperturbably.
"I went to-day to seek the images of our forefathers--the venerable
images that were clear to our infancy, the portraits of our fathers'
fathers and mothers, the founders of the honor of our race. And where
are they? They have gone with the protectors of our home, the pride
and ornament of this house--of the street, of the city--the Hermes and
Pallas Athene that you--you flung into the lime-kiln. Old Phabis told me
with tears in his eyes. Alas poor house that is robbed of its past, of
its glory, and of its patron deities!"

"I have placed it under a better safeguard," replied Maria in a
tremulous voice, and she looked it Marcus with an appeal for sympathy.
"Now, for the last time, I ask you: Will you accede to my demands or
will you not?"

"I will not," said Demetrius resolutely.

"Then I must find a new agent to manage the estates."

"You will soon find one; but your land--which is our land too--will
become a desert. Poor land! If you destroy its shrines and sanctuaries
you will destroy its soul; for they are the soul of the land. The first
inhabitants gathered round the sanctuary, and on that sanctuary and the
gods that dwell there the peasant founds his hopes of increase on what
he sows and plants, and of prosperity for his wife and children and
cattle and all that he has. In destroying his shrines you ruin his
hopes, and with them all the joy of life. I know the peasant; he
believes that his labors must be vain if you deprive him of the gods
that make it thrive. He sows in hope, in the swelling of the grain he
sees the hand of the gods who claim his joyful thanksgiving after the
harvest is gathered in. You are depriving him of all that encourages and
uplifts and rejoices his soul when you ruin his shrines and altars!"

"But I give him other and better ones," replied Mary.

"Take care then that they are such as he can appreciate," said D