* * * *

The interior of a vast cathedral is opened before my gaze. The lofty
white marble columns support a vaulted roof painted in fresco, from
which are suspended a thousand lamps that emit a mild and steady
effulgence. The great altar is illuminated; the priests, in
glittering raiment, pace slowly to and fro. The large voice of the
organ, murmuring to itself awhile, breaks forth in a shout of
melody; and a boy's clear, sonorous treble tones pierce the incense-
laden air. "Credo!"--and the silver, trumpet-like notes fall from
the immense height of the building like a bell ringing in a pure
atmosphere--"Credo in unum Deum; Patrem omni-potentum, factorem
coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium."

The cathedral echoes with answering voices; and, involuntarily
kneeling, I follow the words of the grand chant. I hear the music
slacken; the notes of rejoicing change to a sobbing and remorseful
wail; the organ shudders like a forest of pines in a tempest,
"Crucifixus etiam pro nobis; passus et sepultus est." A darkness
grows up around me; my senses swim. The music altogether ceases; but
a brilliant radiance streams through a side-door of the church, and
twenty maidens, clad in white and crowned with myrtle, pacing two by
two, approach me. They gaze at me with joyous eyes. "Art thou also
one of us?" they murmur; then they pass onward to the altar, where
again the lights are glimmering. I watch them with eager interest; I
hear them uplift their fresh young voices in prayer and praise. One
of them, whose deep blue eyes are full of lustrous tenderness,
leaves her companions, and softly approaches me. She holds a pencil
and tablet in her hand.