Before these idols was an altar, and at its base many fine mats.
Entering the temple, as if he felt very much at home, Media disposed these mats so as to form a very pleasant lounge; where he deferentially entreated Yillah to recline.

Then deliberately removing the first idol, he motioned me to seat myself in its place.
Setting aside the middle one, he quietly established himself in its stead.

The displaced ciphers, meanwhile, standing upright before us, and their blank faces looking upon this occasion unusually expressive.

As yet, not a syllable as to the meaning of this cavalier treatment of their wooden godships.
We now tranquilly awaited what next might happen, and I earnestly prayed, that if sacrilege was being committed, the vengeance of the gods might be averted from an ignoramus like me; notwithstanding the petitioner himself hailed from the other world.

Perfect silence was preserved: Jarl and Samoa standing a little without the temple; the first looking quite composed, but his comrade casting wondering glances at my sociable apotheosis with Media.
Now happening to glance upon the image last removed, I was not long in detecting a certain resemblance between it and our host.