"I think," said Mr. Marius Longford weightily, "that whatever fault the building may have from a strictly accurate point of view,--which is a matter I am not prepared to go into without considerable time given for due study and consideration,--it is certainly the most attractive edifice of its kind that I have seen for some time. It reflects great credit on you, Mr. Walden;--no doubt the work gave you much personal pleasure!" "It certainly did so," replied John,--"and I'm afraid I am arrogant enough to be satisfied with the general result so far as it goes,-- with the exception of the eastern window, of course!" "Ah, that eastern window!" sighed the Reverend 'Putty' with an air of aesthetic languor which was in comical contrast with his coarse and commonplace appearance; "That is a sad, sad flaw! A terrible incongruity!" "I made up my mind from the first," pursued Walden, his equable voice seeming to float pleasantly on the tide of music with which the little sanctuary was just then filled; "that nothing but the most genuine and authentic old stained glass should fill that fine circular rose carving, and those lance apertures; so I am collecting it slowly, bit by bit, for this purpose. It will take time and patience, no doubt,--but I think and hope that success will be the end of the task I have set myself. In the meantime, of course, the effect of plain glass where there should be only the richest colouring is decidedly 'crude'!" He smiled slightly, and there was an uncomfortable pause. Sir Morton Pippitt took out a voluminous red handkerchief covered with yellow spots and blew his nose violently therein while the Reverend Mr. Leveson nodded his large head blandly, as one who receives doubtful information with kindly tolerance. Mr. Marius Longford looked faintly amused. "I understand!" said the light of the 'Savile and Savage,' slowly; "You seek perfection!" He smiled a pallid smile; but on the whole surveyed Walden with more interest than he had hitherto done. Julian Adderley, who had during the last couple of minutes stepped up to the chancel, now stood gazing at the sarcophagus of the supposed Saint with a kind of melancholy interest. Reading the only legible words of the inscription in sotto voce, he sighed drearily. "' In--Resurrectione--Sanctorum--Resurget!' How simple!--how new!-- how fresh! To think that anyone ever held such a child's faith!" "The Church is still supposed to hold it," said Walden steadily, "And her ministers also. Otherwise, religion is a farce, and its professors much less honest than the trusted servant who steals his master's money!" Marius Longford smiled, and stroked one feline whisker thoughtfully. "So you actually believe what you preach!" he murmured--"Strange! You are more of an antiquity than the consecrated dust enclosed in that alabaster! Believe me!"