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 CHAPTER III

lifted critical eyes to gaze upon him, apprising his physical beauty with calm appreciation. Then she spoke again.

"Are you mad?" she whispered. "Are you mad, or have you a wager with death? Do you know that it is a sin past all forgiveness for a Sudra—a man of servile caste-thus to pollute the waters of the sacred places?"

"But I am no Sudra, I!" said Chun proudly. "I am of the number of the demigods! Mark me well. Is not my body fashioned in their likeness? For a very long time the secret of my birth has been known to me, and to-night at last my divinity has been proved—proved!"

The triumphant music of his own words thrilled him. The tremendous truth seemed to take to itself a new might and majesty, now that he had dared to translate it into speech.

"Blasphemer! Blasphemer of the most holy demigods!" she exclaimed in mock horror, and a light laugh tripped at the heels of her cry.