Helbeck of Bannisdale — Volume II by Mrs. Humphry Ward
page 114 of 279 (40%)
page 114 of 279 (40%)
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west end of the chapel, while Williams, in his blouse and mounted on a
high stool, was painting a dozen yards away. "And then he gave it up!" said Laura under her breath. "Who can understand that?" Helbeck hesitated a little. His face was crossed for a moment by the shadow of some thought that he did not communicate. Then he said, "He came--as I told you--to think that it was right and best for him to do so. An artist, darling, has to think of the Four Last Things, like anybody else!" "The Four Last Things!" said Laura, startled. "What do you mean?" "Death--Judgment--Heaven--and Hell." The words fell slowly from the half-whispering voice into the quiet darkness of the chapel. Laura looked up--Helbeck's eyes, fixed upon the crucifix over the altar, seemed to receive thence a stem and secret message to which the whole man responded. The girl moved restlessly away. "Let us go and see what he is doing." As they approached, Williams turned to Helbeck--he seemed not to see Miss Fountain--and said a few troubled phrases that showed him wholly dissatisfied with his morning's work. Beads of perspiration stood on his brow; his lips were pinched and feverish; his eyes unhappy. He pointed Helbeck to the figure he was engaged upon--a strange dream of St. Mary of |
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