I put on the alb and stole they brought me, and, before I went up to the
sick man, looked round on those that were in the rooms; for the rooms
opened one into the other by many doors, across some of which hung
gorgeous tapestry; all the rooms seemed to have many people, for some
stood at these doors, and some passed to and fro, swinging aside the
heavy hangings; once several people at once, seemingly quite by accident,
drew aside almost all the veils from the doors, and showed an endless
perspective of gorgeousness.

And at these things my heart fainted for horror. "Had not the Jews of
late," thought I, the priest, "been very much in the habit of crucifying
children in mockery of the Holiest, holding gorgeous feasts while they
beheld the poor innocents die? These men are Atheists, you are in a
trap, yet quit yourself like a man."

"Ah, sharp one," thought I, the author, "where are you at last? try to
pray as a test.--Well, well, these things are strangely like devils.--O
man, you have talked about bravery often, now is your time to practise
it: once for all trust in God, or I fear you are lost."

Moreover it increased my horror that there was no appearance of a woman
in all these rooms; and yet was there not? there, those things--I looked
more intently; yes, no doubt they were women, but all dressed like
men;--what a ghastly place!

"O man! do your duty," my angel said; then in spite of the bloodshot eyes
of man and woman there, in spite of their bold looks, they quailed before
me.

I stepped up to the bed-side, where under the velvet coverlid lay the