when the bronze is boiling in the furnace? I
do not know. It is true, at any rate, that bells are now made in carload
lots. Their voices are without personality. They are all the same.
They're like docile and indifferent hired girls when formerly they were
like those aged servants who became part of the family whose joys and
griefs they have shared. But what difference does that make to the
clergy and the congregation? At present these auxiliaries devoted to the
cult do not represent any symbol. And that explains the whole
difficulty.

"You asked me, a few seconds ago, whether these books treated of bells
from the liturgical point of view. Yes, most of them give tabulated
explanations of the significance of the various component parts. The
interpretations are simple and offer little variety."

"What are a few of them?"

"I can sum them all up for you in a very few words. According to the
_Rational_ of Guillaume Durand, the hardness of the metal signifies the
force of the preacher. The percussion of the clapper on the sides
expresses the idea that the preacher must first scourge himself to
correct himself of his own vices before reproaching the vices of others.
The wooden frame represents the cross of Christ, and the cord, which
formerly served to set the bell swinging, allegorizes the science of the
Scriptures which flows from the mystery of the Cross itself.

"The most ancient liturgists expound practically the same symbols. Jean
Beleth, who lived in 1200, declares also that the bell is the image of
the preacher, but adds that its motion to and fro, when it is set
swinging, teaches that the preacher must by turns elevate his language
and bring it down within reach of the crowd. For Hugo of Saint Victor
the clapper is the tongue of the officiating priest, which strikes the
two sides of the vase and announces thus, at the same time, the truth of
the two Testaments. Finally, if we consult Fortunatus Amalarius, perhaps
the most ancient of the liturgists, we find simply that the body of the
bell denotes the mouth of the preacher and the hammer his tongue."

"But," said Durtal, somewhat disappointed, "it isn't--what shall I
say?--very profound."

The door opened.

"Why, how are you!" said Carhaix, shaking hands with Gevingey, and then
introducing him to Durtal.

While the bell-ringer's wife finished setting the table, Durtal examined
the newcomer. He was a little man, wearing a soft black felt hat and
wrapped up l