see the
white-robed priests and choristers--there was one boy with the most
perfect voice you can conceive. I don't know what they were singing,
something very sweet and mournful, and, as that one voice rang up into
the vaulted roof, I saw Mme. Lemercier fall down on her knees and pray
in a sort of rapture. Even I myself felt the tears come to my eyes, just
because of the loveliness, and because the blood in one's veins seemed
to bound. And then, still singing, the procession passed into the nave,
and the lovely voice grew more and more distant. It was a wonderful
effect; no doubt, the congregation thought they felt devout, but, if
so, then I too felt devout--quite as religious as they. Your spiritual
fervor seems to me to resolve itself into artistic effect produced by an
appeal to the senses and emotions."

"And I must repeat my riddle," said Charles Osmond, quietly. "No
awakened spirit could ever mistake the one for the other. It is
impossible! How impossible you will one day realize."

"One evil prophesy is enough for today!" said Erica laughing. "If I stay
any longer, you will be prophesying my acceptance of Christianity. No,
no, my father will be grieved enough if your first prediction comes
true, but, if I were to turn Christian, I think it would break his
heart!"

She rose to go, and Charles Osmond went with her to the door, extracting
a promise that she would discuss things with her aunt, and if she
approved send for Mr. Osmond at once. He watched her across the square,
then turning back into his study paced to and fro in deep thought.
Erica's words rang in his ears. "If I were to turn Christian, I think
it would break his heart." How strangely this child was situated! How
almost impossible it seemed that she could ever in this world come to
the light! And yet the difficulty might perhaps be no hindrance to one
so beautifully sincere, so ready to endure anything and everything for
the sake of what she now considered truth. She had all her father's zeal
and self-devotion; surely the offering up of self, even in a
mistaken cause, must sooner or later lead to the Originator of all
self-sacrifice. Surely some of those who seem only to thwart God,
honestly deeming Christianity a mischievous delusion, are really acting
more in His spirit, unconsciously better doing His will than many who
openly declare themselves on His side! Yet, as Charles Osmond mused
over the past lives of Luke Raeburn and his daughter, and p