Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/339

 be above principle, although it would seem there is a species of integrity higher than principle itself, I held my tongue, and Lady Hester went on. "I know where to find a book that contains the language spoken by Adam and Eve: the letters are a span high. Such things have fallen into my hands as have fallen into nobody's else. I know where the serpent is that has the head of a man, like the one that tempted Eve. The cave still exists not far from Tarsus; and the villages all about are exempted from the miri in consideration of feeding the serpents. Everybody in that neighbourhood knows it: isn't it extraordinary? why don't you answer? is it, or is it not? Good God! I should go mad if I were obliged to remain three whole days together in your society—I'm sure I should. Such a cold man I never saw; there is no getting an answer from you: however, think as you like. These serpents will march through the country to fight for the Messiah, and will devour everything before them." Here she paused for about a minute, and then added, "I think you had better not tell them anything about the serpents; perhaps their minds are not prepared for matters of this sort."

I have already observed that Monsieur Guys had mentioned, with some surprise, the serious manner in