nd are soon forced into one or the other camp. Now, because it is these
larvae they evoke, the occultists, who cannot, of course, draw down the
angels, always get the ones who have joined the party of Evil, so
unconsciously and probably involuntarily the spiritist is always
diabolizing."

"Yes, and if one admits the disgusting idea that an imbecile medium can
bring back the dead, one must, in reason, recognize the stamp of Satan
on these practises."

"However viewed, Spiritism is an abomination."

"So you don't believe in theurgy, white magic?"

"It's a joke. Only a Rosicrucian who wants to hide his more repulsive
essays at black magic ever hints at such a thing. No one dare confess
that he satanizes. The Church, not duped by these hair-splitting
distinctions, condemns black and white magic indifferently."

"Well," said Durtal, lighting a cigarette, after a silence, "this is a
better topic of conversation than politics or the races, but where does
it get us? Half of these doctrines are absurd, the other half so
mysterious as to produce only bewilderment. Shall we grant Satanism?
Well, gross as it is, it seems a sure thing. And if it is, and one is
consistent, one must also grant Catholicism--for Buddhism and the like
are not big enough to be substituted for the religion of Christ."

"All right. Believe."

"I can't. There are so many discouraging and revolting dogmas in
Christianity--"

"I am uncertain about a good many things, myself," said Des Hermies,
"and yet there are moments when I feel that the obstacles are giving
way, that I almost believe. Of one thing I _am_ sure. The supernatural
does exist, Christian or not. To deny it is to deny evidence--and who
wants to be a materialist, one of these silly freethinkers?"

"It is mighty tiresome to be vacillating forever. How I envy Carhaix his
robust faith!"

"You don't want much!" said Des Hermies. "Faith is the breakwater of the
soul, affording the only haven in which dismasted man can glide along in
peace."

CHAPTER XXII

"You like that?" asked Mme. Carhaix. "For a change I served the broth
yesterday and kept the beef for tonight. So we'll have vermicelli soup,
a salad of cold meat with pickled herring and celery, some nice mashed
potatoes _au gratin_, and a dessert. And then you shall taste the new
cider we just got."

"Oh!" and "Ah!" exclaimed Des Hermies and Durtal, who, while waiting for
dinner, were sipping the elixir of life. "Do you know