of dittos belonging to his worldly condition, that he was
passing through moments of greater spiritual importance than any since
he was baptized or than any he would pass through before he stood upon
the threshold of eternity.

But this was a transient scepticism, a fleeting discontent, which
vanished when the brethren formed into procession and returned to the
oratory singing the psalm: _In Convertendo_.

_When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion: then were we
like unto them, that dream._

_Then was our mouth filled with laughter: and our tongue with joy._

_Then said they among the heathen: The Lord hath done great things
for them._

_Yea, the Lord hath done great things for us already: whereof we
rejoice._

_Turn our captivity, O Lord: as the rivers in the south._

_They that sow in tears: shall reap in joy._

_He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed:
shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with
him._

The Father Superior of the Order sang the Mass, while the Bishop of
Alberta seated in his Glastonbury chair suffered with an expression of
childlike benignity the ritualistic ministrations of Brother Raymond,
the ceremonial doffing and donning of his mitre. It was very still in
the little Oratory, for it was the season when birds are hushed; and
even Sir Charles Horner who was all by himself in the ante-chapel did
not fidget or try to peep through the heavy brocaded curtains that shut
out the quire. Mark dared not look up when at the offertory Brother
Anselm stood before the Altar and answered the solemn interrogations of
the Father Superior, question after question about his faith and
endurance in the life he desired to enter. And to every question he
answered clearly _I will_. The Father Superior took the parchment on
which were written the vows and read aloud the document. Then it was
placed upon the Altar, and there upon that sacrificial stone Brother
Anselm signed his name to a contract with Almighty God. The holy calm
that shed itself upon the scene was like a spell on every heart that was
beating there in unison with the heart of him who was drawing nearer to
Heaven. Prostrating himself, the professed monk prayed first to God the
Father:

_O receive me according to thy word that I may live; and let me not
be disappointed of my hope._

The hearts that beat in unison with his to