Meanwhile the glorious music was rolling overhead in the high vaulted roof. The old man was extemporising; but his manner was evident even in that; there was a simple solemn phrase that formed his theme, and round this adorning and enriching it moved the grave chords. On and on travelled the melody, like the flow of a broad river; now sliding steadily through a smiling land of simple harmonies, where dwelt a people of plain tastes and solid virtues; now passing over shallows where the sun glanced and played in the brown water among the stones, as light arpeggio chords rippled up and vanished round about the melody; now entering a land of mighty stones and caverns where the echoes rang hollow and resonant, as the counterpoint began to rumble and trip like boulders far down out of sight, in subaqueous gloom; now rolling out again and widening, fuller and deeper as it went, moving in great masses towards the edge of the cataract that lies like a line across the landscape: it is inevitable now, the crash must come;--a chord or two pausing,--pausing;--and then the crash, stupendous and sonorous. Then on again through elaborate cities where the wits and courtiers dwell, and stately palaces slide past upon the banks, and barges move upon its breast, on to the sea--that final full close that embraces and engulfs all music, all effort, all doubts and questionings, whether in art or theology, all life of intellect, heart or will--that fathomless eternal deep from which all comes and to which all returns, that men call the Love of God. * * * * Anthony stirred in his seat; he had been here ten minutes, proposing to take his restless thoughts in hand and quiet them; and, lo! it had been done for him by the master who sat overhead. Here he, for the moment, remained, ready for anything--glad to take up the wood and bear it to the Mount of Sacrifice--content to be carried on in that river of God's Will to the repose of God's Heart--content to dwell meantime in the echoing caverns of doubt--in the glancing shadows and lights of an active life--in his own simple sunlit life in the country--or even to plunge over the cataract down into the fierce tormented pools in the dark--for after all the sea lay beyond; and he who commits himself to the river is bound to reach it. He heard a step, and the usher stood by him. "His Grace is ready, Master Norris." Anthony rose and followed him. The Archbishop received him with the greatest kindness. As Anthony came in he half rose, peering with his half-blind eyes, and smiling and holding out his hands. "Come, Master Norris," he said, "you are always welcome. Sit down;" and he placed him in a chair at the table close by his own. "Now, what is it?" he said kindly; for the old man's heart was a little anxious at this formal interview that had been requested by this favourite young officer of his.