Episcopalians in this at least, that they heartily disliked a
scene during service. Calm was restored to their minds by the
minister starting a rather long hymn in minims and semibreves,
amid the singing of which he ascended the pulpit. His face
had a severe and even denunciatory look as he gave out his
text, and Somerset began to understand that this meant
mischief to the young person who had caused the hitch.

'In the third chapter of Revelation and the fifteenth and
following verses, you will find these words:--

'"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth. . . . Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."'

The sermon straightway began, and it was soon apparent that
the commentary was to be no less forcible than the text. It
was also apparent that the words were, virtually, not directed
forward in the line in which they were uttered, but through
the chink of the vestry-door, that had stood slightly ajar
since the exit of the young lady. The listeners appeared to
feel this no less than Somerset did, for their eyes, one and
all, became fixed upon that vestry door as if they would
almost push it open by the force of their gazing. The
preacher's heart was full and bitter; no book or note was
wanted by him; never was spontaneity more absolute than here.
It was no timid reproof of the ornamental kind, but a direct