black lightning-flash was impressed on
his mental retina, the restless cry of the arches was continually in his
ear; he seldom passed the transept-crossing without hearing it. But he
bore his rebuke with exemplary resignation--the more so that he was much
interested in some visits which Lord Blandamer paid him at this period.
Lord Blandamer called more than once at Bellevue Lodge in the evenings,
even as late as nine o'clock, and would sit with Westray for two hours
together, turning over plans and discussing the restoration. The
architect learnt to appreciate the charm of his manner, and was
continually astonished at the architectural knowledge and critical power
which he displayed. Mr Sharnall would sometimes join them for a few
minutes, but Lord Blandamer never appeared quite at his ease when the
organist was present; and Westray could not help thinking that Mr
Sharnall was sometimes tactless, and even rude, considering that he was
beholden to Lord Blandamer for new pedals and new bellows and a
water-engine _in esse_, and for the entire repair of the organ _in
posse_.

"I can't help being `beholden to him,' as you genteelly put it," Mr
Sharnall said one evening, when Lord Blandamer had gone. "I can't
_stop_ his giving new bellows or a new pedal-board. And we do want the
new board and the additional pipes. As it is, I can't play German
music, can't touch a good deal of Bach's organ work. Who is to say this
man nay, if he chooses to alter the organ? But I'm not going to truckle
to anyone, and least of all to him. Do you want me to fall flat on my
face because he is a lord? Pooh! we could all be lords like him. Give
me another week with Martin's papers, and I'll open your eyes. Ay, you
may stare and sniff if you please, but you'll open your eyes then. _Ex
oriente lux_--that's where the light's coming from, out of Martin's
papers. Once this Confirmation over, and you'll see. I can't settle to
the papers till that's done with. What do people want to confirm these
boys and girls for? It only makes hypocrites of wholesome children. I
hate the whole business. If people want to make their views public, let
them do it at five-and-twenty; then we should believe that they knew
something of what they were about."

The day of the Bishop's visit had arrived; the Bishop had arrived
himself; he had entered the door of Bellevue Lodge; he had been received
by Miss Euphemia Joliffe as one who receives an angel aware