from throat to feet, and wearing a dainty
cluster of double white violets fastened just below one ear, where the
wax light kissed her sunny hair, she appeared a St. Cecilia, very fair
and sweet, to the eyes of the man who stood a moment unperceived
beneath the arch. A figure of medium height, clad in priestly garments,
with a white surplice sweeping to the marble floor; a finely modelled
head thickly fleeced with light brown hair, a serene pleasant face,
with regular features, deep-set black eyes magnified by spectacles, and
an expression of habitual placidity, that bespoke a soul consecrated by
noble aims, and at perfect peace with his God.

Hearing his step as he crossed the floor, Leo looked over her shoulder,
smiled, and began to play softly, while he ascended the steps and knelt
before the altar. After some moments Miss Patty rustled in, sank on her
knees and finally settled herself comfortably on one of the
crescent-shaped, cushioned sofas; then Judge Dent entered, followed by
Justine and the aged negro butler, Joel, the two servants finding seats
just behind their master. Doctor Leighton Douglass selected his hymns,
and the leaves of five prayer-books fluttered, as Collects were found,
but Leo continued to play.

Twice she turned and looked around the chapel, seeking some one,
delaying the commencement of the service. Finally accepting defeat, her
pretty fingers fell from the keys, and with them dropped two tears,
forced from her by the keen disappointment that robbed this occasion of
all its anticipated pleasure. Singularly free from fashionable
elocutionary affectations, and certain declamatory stage tricks, by
which the recitation of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer becomes a
competitive test of lungs in the race for breath, Leighton Douglass
read the morning service, in a well-modulated voice, and with a
profound solemnity that left its impress on each heart. The responses
were fervent, and the Christmas hymns were sung with joyful
earnestness; then priestly arms rose like the wings of a great snowy
dove, and from holy, priestly lips fell the mellow music of the
benediction:

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen."

Even while he pronounced the words, a whirring rustle filled the
beautiful oratory, and two of Leo's pet ring-doves, fluttering round
and round the frescoed ceiling, descended swiftly. One perched upon her