For Umballa had, at the departure of the majordomo, conceived a plan
for rehabilitation so wide in its ramifications, so powerful and
whelming, that nothing could stay it; once it was set in motion. The
priests, the real rulers of Asia; the wise and patient gurus, who held
the most compelling of all scepters, superstition! Double fool that he
had been, not to have thought of this before! He knew that they hated
Ramabai, who in religion was an outcast and a pariah, who worshiped but
a single God whom none had ever seen, of whom no idol had been carved
and set up in a temple.
Superstition!
Umballa threw off his robes and donned his candy seller's tatters, left
the house without being questioned by the careless guard, and sought
the chief temple.
Superstition!
To cow the populace, to bring the troops to the mark, with threats of
curses, famine, plague, eternal damnation! Superstition! And this is
why Ramabai and his followers found an empty chamber.