"Here will we
ask the Father which is in Heaven--the Father of all worlds--whether
we shall part now one from the other, or still remain--together!"
As he spoke a rush of music filled the air,--and the Cardinal sank
feebly on his knees, overcome by a great wave of awe and terror
which engulfed his soul--for it was the same divine, far-reaching,
penetrative music which had once before enthralled his ears in the
Cathedral at Rouen. Kneeling he clasped his worn hands, and in all
the dizziness and confusion of his brain, raised his eyes for help
to the great Cross, bare of all beauty, save for the flowers of
Sylvie's strange bridal that lay at its foot. And as he looked he
saw a marvellous Vision!--a Dream of Angels standing on either side
of that symbol of salvation!--of angels tall and white and
beautiful, whose towering pinions glowed with the radiant light of a
thousand mornings! Amazed and awe-stricken at this great sight, he
uttered a faint cry and turned to his child companion.
"Manuel!"
"I am here," answered the clear young voice. "Be not afraid!"
And now the music of the unseen choir of sound seemed to grow deeper
and fuller and grander,--and Felix Bonpre, caught up, as it were,
out of all earthly surroundings, and only made conscious of the
growing ascendency of Spirit over Matter, saw the bare building
around him beginning to wondrously change its aspect.
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