was her errand, but wondered if she was to go back by these same gates,
and perhaps return where she had been. She went up to them very closely,
for she was curious to see the place through which she had come in her
sleep, as a traveller goes back to see the city gate, with its bridge
and portcullis, through which he has passed by night. The gate was very
great, of a wonderful, curious architecture, and strange, delicate
arches and canopies above. Some parts of them seemed cut very clean and
clear; but the outlines were all softened with a sort of mist and
shadow, so that it looked greater and higher than it was. The lower part
was not one great doorway as the Pilgrim had supposed, but innumerable
doors, all separate, and very narrow, so that but one could pass at a
time, though the arch enclosed all, and seemed filled with great folding
gates in which the smaller doors were set, so that if need arose a vast
opening might be made for many to enter. Of the little doors many were
shut as the Pilgrim approached; but from moment to moment, one after
another would be pushed softly open from without, and some one would
come in. The little Pilgrim looked at it all with great interest,
wondering which of the doors she had herself come by; but while she
stood absorbed by this, a door was suddenly pushed open close by her,
and some one flung forward into the blessed country, falling upon the
ground, and stretched out wild arms as though to clutch the very soil.
This sight gave the Pilgrim a great surprise, for it was the first time
she had heard any sound of pain, or seen any sight of trouble, since she
entered here. In that moment she knew what it was that the dear Lord had
given her to do. She had no need to pause to think, for her heart told
her; and she did not hesitate as she might have done in the other life,
not knowing what to say. She went forward, and gathered this poor
creature into her arms, as if it had been a child, and drew her quite
within the land of peace--for she had fallen across the threshold, so as
to hinder any one entering who might be coming after her. It was a