er. Perhaps by this time she was the thrall of her own song.
Perhaps she had caught the look of wonder and admiration on the face
of Morris, and was determined to show him that she had other music at
command besides that of pagan death-chants. At least, she sang up and
out, till her notes dominated those of the choir, which seemed to be but
an accompaniment to them; till they beat against the ancient roof and
down the depth of the long nave, to be echoed back as though from the
golden trumpets of the angels that stood above the tower screen; till
even the village children ceased from whispers and playing to listen
open-mouthed.

"And then for those, our dearest and best,
By this prevailing Presence we appeal;
O! fold them closer to Thy mercy's breast,
O! do Thine utmost, for their souls' true weal;
From tainting mischief keep them white and clear,
And crown Thy gifts with strength to persevere."

It was as her voice lingered upon the deep tones of these last words
that suddenly Stella seemed to become aware that practically she was
singing a solo; that at any rate no one else in the congregation was
contributing a note. Then she was vexed, or perhaps a panic took her;
at least, not another word of that hymn passed her lips. In vain the
organist paused and looked round indignantly; the little boys, the
clerk, and the stout coach-builder were left to finish it by themselves,
with results that by contrast were painful.

When Stella came out of church, redraped in the antique and unbecoming
fichu, she found herself the object of considerable attention. Indeed,
upon one pretext and another nearly all the congregation seemed to
be lingering about the porch and pathway to stare at the new parson's
shipwrecked daughter when she appeared. Among them was Miss Layard,
and with her the delicate brother. They were staying to lunch with the
Stop-gap's meek little wife. Indeed, this self-satisfied and somewhat
acrimonious lady, Miss Layard, engaged Morris in conversation, and
pointedly asked him to introduce her to Miss Fregelius.

"We are to be neighbours, you know," she explained, "for we live at the
Hall in the next parish, not more than a mile away."

"Indeed," answered Stella, who did not seem much impressed.

"My brother and I hope to call upon Mr. Fregelius and yourself as
soon as possible, but I thought I would not wait for that to have the
pleasure of making your acquaintance."

"You are