They turned down a long stone passage leading to the chapel. As they neared the chapel door there was a sound of voices from the hall at their back.
"It's Alan," said Augustina peering, "and Father Bowles!"
She hurried back to meet them, skirts and cap-strings flying. Laura stood still.
But after a few words with his sister, Helbeck came up to his guest with outstretched hand.
"I hope we have not kept you waiting for dinner. May I introduce Father Bowles to you?"
Laura bowed with all the stiffness of which a young back is capable. She saw an old grey-haired priest, with a round face and a pair of chubby hands, which he constantly held crossed or clasped upon his breast. His long irregular-mouth seemed to fold over at the corners above his very small and childish chin. The mouth and the light blue eyes wore an expression of rather mincing gentleness. His short figure, though bent a little with years, was still vigorous, and his gait quick and bustling.
He addressed Miss Fountain with a lisping and rather obsequious politeness, asking a great many unnecessary questions about her journey and her arrival.
Laura answered coldly. But when he passed to Mrs. Fountain, Augustina was all effusion.
"When I think what has been granted to us since I was here last!" she said to the priest as they moved on,--clasping her hands, and flushing.
"The dear Bishop took such trouble about it," he said in a little murmuring voice. "It was not easy--but the Church loves to content her children."
"My sister refers to the permission which has been granted to us to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel," he said gravely. "It is a privilege we never enjoyed till last year."
"Shall I slip away?" she thought, looking round her.
But at that moment Mr. Helbeck lifted the heavy latch of the chapel door; and her young curiosity was too strong for her. She followed the others.
"You will perhaps care to look at the frescoes," he said to her as she hurried past him. She nodded, and walked quickly away to the left, by herself. Then she turned and looked about her.
It was the first time that she had entered a Catholic church, and every detail was new to her. She watched the other three sign themselves with holy water and drop low on one knee before the altar. So that was the altar. She stared at it with a scornful repugnance; yet her pulse quickened as though what she saw excited her. What was that erection above it, with a veil of red silk drawn round it--and why was that lamp burning in front of it?