Petulengro, however, appeared to feel not the least embarrassment,
but tripped along the aisle with the greatest nonchalance. We
passed under the pulpit, in which stood the clergyman in his white
surplice, and reached the middle of the church, where we were
confronted by the sexton dressed in long blue coat, and holding in
his hand a wand. This functionary motioned towards the lower end
of the church, where were certain benches, partly occupied by poor
people and boys. Mrs. Petulengro, however, with a toss of her
head, directed her course to a magnificent pew, which was
unoccupied, which she opened and entered, followed closely by Tawno
Chikno, Mr. Petulengro, and myself. The sexton did not appear by
any means to approve of the arrangement, and as I stood next the
door, laid his finger on my arm, as if to intimate that myself and
companions must quit our aristocratical location. I said nothing,
but directed my eyes to the clergyman, who uttered a short and
expressive cough; the sexton looked at him for a moment, and then,
bowing his head, closed the door--in a moment more the music
ceased. I took up a prayer-book, on which was engraved an earl's
coronet. The clergyman uttered, "I will arise, and go to my
father." England's sublime liturgy had commenced.

Oh, what feelings came over me on finding myself again in an
edifice devoted to the religion of my country! I had not been in
such a place I cannot tell for how long--certainly not for years;
and now I had found my way there again, it appeared as if I had
fallen asleep in the pew of the old church of pretty D---. I had
occasionally done so when a child, and had suddenly woke up. Yes,
surely I had been asleep and had woke up; but no! alas, no! I had
not been asleep--at least not in the old church--if I had been
asleep I had been walking in my sleep, struggling, striving,