gs would utterly
destroy. Hushnoly and the high priestess were in sympathy with the
adherents of the ancient faith, and they too believed in sacrificing
marital rights for the sake of the ideal existence.

The revelation of such a spiritual revolt in Egyplosis, headed, too,
by the man and woman who had sacrificed so much for the cause of Lyone
and myself, revealed human nature in a new light, while it astounded
us. I had foolishly supposed the supremacy of the sword could carry
dominion into spiritual things, and that Egyplosis was wholly
converted to the new faith, to Remeliorism.

The situation was extremely painful.

"Supreme general and high priestess," I said, "both her majesty Lyone
and myself are greatly indebted to your courage and support in the
late struggle; a support heroically given us in spite of your own
secret faith. Is there no way by which you might be reconciled, both
of you, to the new order of things?"

"We fear not, your majesty," said Hushnoly.

"Will riches, will honors not tempt you?"

"Your majesty, we cannot be tempted," replied he.

"You are doubtless aware," I continued, "that it would be impossible
for the government to recognize, much less give support to, a system
of faith for the destruction of which the war was carried on. Much as
we love you, much as we love the priests and priestesses, we cannot
give allegiance to the old faith, We cannot, we dare not countenance
your creed. It will be therefore impossible for yourselves or your
people to remain at Egyplosis, which will be the chief shrine of the
new faith hereafter."

"We have already anticipated all this," said Hushnoly, "and do not
propose even to remain in Atvatabar."

"And where do you go to?" said Lyone, in astonishment.

"Well, your majesty," replied he, "we have determined to take
possession of the sphere Hilar, one of the untenanted spheres above
us, and there create an ideal world. Thus we will relieve your majesty
of all embarrassment and remove any obstacle in the way of religious
or political reform."

I was bewildered by the reply of Hushnoly, as I had never before heard
of any one desiring to dwell on the wandering sphere Hilar, and begged
an explanation.

"Hilar, as your majesty is probably aware," said Hushnoly, "is a
sphere twenty-five miles in diameter that floats in space at a
distance of fifty miles from the surface of Atvatabar. It revolves on
its own axis at the rate of a mile an hour, making a c