ne of those which led to the great gate, and many
met her coming from thence, with looks that were somewhat bewildered, as
if they did not yet know whither they were going or what had happened to
them. Upon whom she smiled as she passed them with soft looks of
tenderness and sympathy, knowing what they were feeling, but did not
stop to explain to them, because she had something else that had been
given her to do. For this is what always follows in that country when
you meet the Lord, that you instantly know what it is that He would have
you do.

The little Pilgrim thus went on and on towards the gate, which she had
not seen when she herself came through it, having been lifted in His
arms by the great Death Angel, and set down softly inside, so that she
did not know it, or even the shadow of it. As she drew nearer the light
became less bright, though very sweet, like a lovely dawn, and she
wondered to herself to think that she had been here but a moment ago,
and yet so much had passed since then. And still she was not aware what
was her errand, but wondered if she was to go back by these same gates,
and perhaps return where she had been. She went up to them very closely,
for she was curious to see the place through which she had come in her
sleep, as a traveller goes back to see the city gate, with its bridge
and portcullis, through which he has passed by night. The gate was very
great, of a wonderful, curious architecture, and strange, delicate
arches and canopies above. Some parts of them seemed cut very clean and
clear; but the outlines were all softened with a sort of mist and
shadow, so that it looked greater and higher than it was. The lower part
was not one great doorway as the Pilgrim had supposed, but innumerable
doors, all separate, and very narrow, so that but one could pass at a
time, though the arch enclosed all, and seemed filled with great folding
gates in which the smaller doors were set, so that if need arose a vast
opening might be made for many to enter. Of the little doors many were
shut as the Pilgrim approached; but from moment to moment, one after
another would be pushed softly open from without, and some one would
come in. The little Pilgrim looked at it all with great interest,
wondering which of the doors she had herself come by; but while she
stood absorbed by this, a door was suddenly pushed open close by her,
and some one flung forward into the blessed country, falling upon the
ground, and st