he very lineaments of their
faces.

Very near him there were three figures kneeling, not together in a
group, but with some space between them. And, in some way that he
could not explain, he felt that all the three were unconscious both of
each other and of himself.

Looking intently upon them, he saw that they were kings, in royal
robes. The nearest to him was an ancient man, with white hair; he
knelt very upright and strong; his face was like parchment, with heavy
lines, but his eyes glowed like a fire. Renatus thought he had never
seen so proud a look. He had an air of command, and Renatus seemed to
know that he had been a warrior in his youth. In his hands he held a
crown of fine golden work, filled with jewels of great rarity and
price; and the king held the crown as though he knew its worth; he
seemed, as it were, to be proffering it, but as a gift of mighty
value, the worthiest thing that he had to offer.

On a step below him at a little distance knelt the second; he was a
younger man, in the prime of life; he had the look more of a student
than a warrior, of one who was busied in many affairs, and who
pondered earnestly over high matters of policy and state. He had a
wiser face than the older man, but his brow was drawn by lines, as
though he had often doubted of himself and others; and he had a crown
in one hand, which he held a little irresolutely, as though he half
loved it, and were yet half wearied of it; as though he was fain to
lay it down, and yet not wholly glad to part with it.

Then Renatus turned a little to the third; and he was more richly
apparelled than the others; his hands were clasped in prayer; and by
his knee there lay a splendid diadem, an Emperor's crown, with few
jewels, but each the price of a kingdom. And Renatus saw that he was
very young, scarce older than himself; and that he had the most
beautiful face he had ever seen, with large soft eyes, clear-cut
features, and a mouth that looked both pure and strong; but in his
face there was such a passion of holiness and surrender, that Renatus
fell to wondering what it was that a man could so adore. He was the
only one of the three who looked, as it were, rapt out of himself; and
the crown lay beside him as if he had forgotten its very existence.

Then there came upon the air a great sound of jubilant and tender
music like the voice of silver trumpets--and the cloud began to lift
and draw up on every side, and revealed at last, very f