"Then, O father! then, O friends beloved, I knew that I had sinned. In
that moment of my humiliation and shame I recalled a sight which I had
seen in the first days of my journey. I remembered some peasants
fleeing from a plague-stricken village, whom we had passed. I said to
myself, I say this day to you, we were that day at the gates of the
real Golden Age and we did not know it. We might that day have turned
aside to the help of these peasants, but we missed the golden chance
sent to us by God."


VI.

THE FINDER OF THE AGE.

When Goldmorrow had finished, a strain of the most heavenly music was
heard. It sounded as if it were coming toward the assembly hall from
the gates of the city. It was like the chanting of a choir of angels,
and the sounds rose and fell as they came near, as if they were blown
hither and thither by the evening wind. In a little while the singing
was at the doorway of the hall, and every eye was turned in that
direction. A procession of white-robed children entered first. Behind
them came a coffin, carried on men's shoulders, and covered with
wreaths of flowers. Then, holding the pall of the coffin, came in the
Princess Faith, behind her the attendants who had accompanied her
brother and herself, and last of all a long line of bare-headed
peasants walking two and two. It was the coffin of the Prince
Goldenday. His strength had never come back to him. He had laid down
his life for the poor villagers. Having fulfilled his task in their
desolate home, the brave young helper sickened and died.