Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/25

Rh they could prove having conceived, not from a man, but from the sun.

"Several authors worthy of credence assure us that these vestals were guarded by eunuchs. The temple at Cuzco had one thousand virgins, that of Caranqua two hundred. It would appear, however, that the virginity of these vestals was not so very sacred after all, for the Inca Kings used to choose from among them concubines for themselves or for their principal vassals and favourite friends.

"Marco Polo narrates how young girls were exposed by their mothers on the public highways in order that travellers might freely make use of