nquiry, and to
deaden all real life in the individual, so that the whole machine might
continue its regular movements without noise or friction. But truth was
a two-edged sword, sharp and shining as crystal. When the light of truth
broke into the heart of man, it caused an agony as piercing as when a
woman brings her child into the world.

But, instead of this, was a man to lead a life of slumber, shut in by
falsehood and form, without force or courage; giving no sign of firmness
or power, but stuffed and padded like the hammers of a piano?

He was so carried away by his thoughts that he forgot his notes and said
many things he would never have dared to write; and after the last
thundering outburst, he concluded with a short and burning prayer for
himself and for all, to have power to defy the falsehood by which man
was bound, and to live a life of sincerity.

He then went on in an entirely changed voice with the rest of the
service; but Rachel particularly noticed that he left out the prayer for
the arms of the country, by land and sea; and now, as he read the
prayers in a calm, quiet voice, the assembly seemed to breathe more
freely, as if after a storm.

Among the men could be heard whispers, and the prevailing idea seemed to
be that the sermon was a complete scandal; while those who had to do
with the law were of opinion that he would be cited before the
Consistorial Court. Among the women the feeling seemed rather undecided,
and many inquiring glances were thrown towards where the men were
sitting, in the hope of divining what the opinion would be, either of a
husband, or a brother, or, in fact, of that particular person of the
opposite sex, according to whose decision each woman was in the habit of
forming her own.

Most eyes, however, sought the dean, who sat as he had done during the
whole sermon, slightly leaning back on his seat, and holding a large
hymn-book, which was a gift from his previous congregation, between his
hands. From the upper windows on the other side of the church a subdued
light fell on his form. The face had the same exalted and peaceful
expression; not a sign of uneasiness or annoyance had passed over it
during the whole sermon, which was not without a soothing effect upon
the congregation. The feeling of restlessness and excitement was
universal, but most people seemed inclined to defer, their final
judgment.

Pastor Martens had left the pew immediately after the sermon, for he had