Presently the island might have appeared deserted. Far round as the eye
could reach not a human being was visible outside the chapel. But
something was heard which told that the place was not only inhabited,
but Christianised. The slow psalm rose into the still air. Everyone
who could speak could sing a psalm. It was a practice lovingly kept up
in every house. Some voices were tremulous, and a few failed; but this
was from emotion. The strongest was Annie's, for hers was the most
practised. It was her wont to sing some of the many psalms she knew on
summer days, when she sat at work on the platform of her house, and on
winter nights, when Rollo was away. Now that she was once more joining
in social worship, her soul was joyful, and she sang strong and clear--
perhaps the more so for the thought of the one absent person, pining in
the cavern on the shore, or looking from afar, in desolation of heart,
at the little throng who came privileged to worship. Perhaps Annie's
voice might unconsciously rise as if to reach the lonely one, and invite
her to come to the house of God and seek rest. However this might be,
Annie's tones so animated some hearts and strengthened some voices as
that the psalm might be, and was, heard a long way off. It reached an
unwilling ear, and drew forward reluctant steps. The links of old
association, are, however, the strongest of chains, and no charm is so
magical as that of religious emotion. Lady Carse was drawn nearer and
nearer, in hope of hearing ano, her psalm, till the solemn tones of
prayer reached her, and presently she was crouching under the wall
outside, weeping like a sinner who dares not knock at the gate of
heaven.
Before the service was quite finished, angry voices were heard from
without, almost overpowering that of the pastor as he gave the blessing.
One of Macdonald's people, who had stepped out to collect the ponies
for some of the women and children, had seen the lady, and, after one
start back as from the ghost of a drowned woman, had laid hold of her
gown, and said she must stay where she could be spoken with by Macdonald
on his return from Skye. She struggled to escape, and did break away--
not down the hill, but into the chapel.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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