It neutralizes opposing forces and gives free play
to _Civilization_, that Titan queen who has succeeded the ancient
terrible figure of the _King_, that sham Providence, reared by man
between himself and heaven. In the face of such achievements, atheism
seems like a barren skeleton. What do you say?"
"I am thinking of the seas of blood shed by Catholicism." Emile
replied, quite unimpressed. "It has drained our hearts and veins dry
to make a mimic deluge. No matter! Every man who thinks must range
himself beneath the banner of Christ, for He alone has consummated the
triumph of spirit over matter; He alone has revealed to us, like a
poet, an intermediate world that separates us from the Deity."
"Believest thou?" asked Raphael with an unaccountable drunken smile.
"Very good; we must not commit ourselves; so we will drink the
celebrated toast, _Diis ignotis_!"
And they drained the chalice filled up with science, carbonic acid
gas, perfumes, poetry, and incredulity.
"If the gentlemen will go to the drawing-room, coffee is ready for
them," said the major-domo.
There was scarcely one of those present whose mind was not floundering
by this time in the delights of chaos, where every spark of
intelligence is quenched, and the body, set free from its tyranny,
gives itself up to the frenetic joys of liberty.
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