me to
the farm."

In another minute he had gone into the village street, almost deserted
this afternoon, for most of the villagers had wandered up to the
church. Paul's road lay in the same direction; and he walked along
with rapid strides, his head bent upon his breast, his heart busied
with his new discovery, and the thought how best to live it down. He
was mingling with the crowd now, that had gathered round the
church-gate waiting for the procession of clergy that was just filing
out of the church. From inside came the throb of the organ and the
sound of singing; but Paul went upon his way, neither lifting his head
nor staying his steps, when a familiar voice close at hand arrested his
attention.

"Mr. Paul! I'm so glad you've come! I _can't_ see anything; lift me
up, please!"

Paul started as he saw that he had nearly tumbled over his friend
Kitty, whose invalid carriage was drawn up as near to the gate as
possible.

"Poor Kitty! And you want to look at the Bishop and his lawn sleeves,
and the girls in their caps, like all the rest of the village," he
said, bending over and lifting her high in his strong arms.

"Yes. I suppose you've come to see the Bishop too?" said Kitty, with a
sigh of contentment. "He's very nice, indoors; but oh! he's lovely
when he's got his scarlet coat on. But daddy says I must not think
about the clothes, but about all the boys and girls whom he will bless
to-day. They'll promise to be good, you know."

"Hush! hush!" said Paul, for the procession was upon them. And Kitty,
carried away by the thrill of the voices, steadied herself in Paul's
arms by clasping hers about his neck, and sang lustily with the rest--

"'Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.'"

The last clergyman in the procession before the Bishop was the rector,
and Paul could not but be struck by the singular beauty of his look,
the joyous ring of his voice. The "vision glorious" was his at that
moment; fresh soldiers had just been sworn in to that great army, whose
Captain was Christ, and, though some might fall away, there were many
whom he prayed would die fighting. That, and more than that, was
written clearly on the rector's face.

"Did you see him? Did you see him?" whispered Kitty, eagerly. "Isn't
he beautiful?"

"Yes," said Paul, absently, as he put Kitty back into her carriage.
But whilst Kitty refe