nd the figures in white
had not only green wreaths on their heads, but little red crosses by
their side, which caused her some satisfaction that she also had her red
cross. Certainly, they looked as beautiful as the angels on the clouds,
and to Tessa's mind they too had a background of cloud, like everything
else that came to her in life. How and whence did they come? She did
not mind much about knowing. But one thing surprised her as newer than
wreaths and crosses; it was that some of the white figures carried
baskets between them. What could the baskets be for?

But now they were very near, and, to her astonishment, they wheeled
aside and came straight up to her. She trembled as she would have done
if Saint Michael in the picture had shaken his head at her, and was
conscious of nothing but terrified wonder till she saw close to her a
round boyish face, lower than her own, and heard a treble voice saying,
"Sister, you carry the Anathema about you. Yield it up to the blessed
Gesu, and He will adorn you with the gems of His grace."

Tessa was only more frightened, understanding nothing. Her first
conjecture settled on her basket of sweets. They wanted that, these
alarming angels. Oh dear, dear! She looked down at it.

"No, sister," said a taller youth, pointing to her necklace and the
clasp of her belt, "it is those vanities that are the Anathema. Take
off that necklace and unclasp that belt, that they may be burned in the
holy Bonfire of Vanities, and save _you_ from burning."

"It is the truth, my sister," said a still taller youth, evidently the
archangel of this band. "Listen to these voices speaking the divine
message. You already carry a red cross: let that be your only
adornment. Yield up your necklace and belt, and you shall obtain
grace."

This was too much. Tessa, overcome with awe, dared not say "no," but
she was equally unable to render up her beloved necklace and clasp. Her
pouting lips were quivering, the tears rushed to her eyes, and a great
drop fell. For a moment she ceased to see anything; she felt nothing
but confused terror and misery. Suddenly a gentle hand was laid on her
arm, and a soft, wonderful voice, as if the Holy Madonna were speaking,
said, "Do not be afraid; no one shall harm you."

Tessa looked up and saw a lady in black, with a young heavenly face and
loving hazel eyes. She had never seen any one like this lady before,
and under other circumstances might have had