Will you do this, and then come to me again ?" "Yes, my Lord Prior," said Chris, and he took up the letter, bowed, and went out.
* * * * * Within the week relief and knowledge came to him.

He had done what the monk had told him, and it had been followed by a curious sense of relief at the thought suggested to him that the responsibility of decision did not rest on him but on his heavenly helpers.

And then as he served mass the answer came.
It was in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin, a little building entered from the north transept, with its windows opening directly on to the road leading up into the town; there was no one there but the two.

It was about seven o'clock on the feast of the Seven Martyrs, and the chapel was full of a diffused tender morning light, for the chapel was sheltered from the direct sunshine by the tall church on its south.
As they went up to the altar the bell sounded for the Elevation at the high-altar of the church, at the _missa familiaris_, and the footstep of someone passing through the north transept ceased instantly at the sound.

The priest ascended the steps, set down the vessels, spread the corporal, opened the book, and came down again for the preparation.
There was no one else in the chapel, and the peace of the place in the summer light, only vitalized by the brisk chirping of a sparrow under the eaves, entered into Christopher's soul.
As the mass went on it seemed as if a veil were lifting from his spirit, and leaving it free and sensible again.