Page:Gilbert Parker--The Lane that had No Turning.djvu/135

Rh answer, as it were, to the tinkling of the acolyte’s bell in the sanctuary. People turned at the sound, women stopped telling their beads, some of the choir forgot their chanting. A strange feeling passed through the church, and reached and startled the Curé as he recited the Mass. He turned round and saw Parpon laying Pomfrette down at the chancel steps. His voice shook a little as he intoned the ritual, and as he raised the sacred elements tears rolled down his cheeks.

From a distant corner of the gallery a deeply veiled woman also looked down at Pomfrette, and her hand trembled on the desk before her.

At last the Curé came forward to the chancel steps.

"What is it, Parpon?" he asked gravely.

"It is Luc Pomfrette, M’sieu’ le Curé." Pomfrette’s eyes were closed.

"He swore that he would never come to Mass again," answered the good priest.

"Till he was carried, M’sieu’ le Curé—and I’ve carried him."

"Did you come of your own free will, and with a repentant heart, Luc Pomfrette?" asked the Curé.

"I did not know I was coming—no." Pomfrette’s brown eyes met the priest’s unflinchingly.

"You have defied God, and yet He has spared your life."

"I’d rather have died," answered the sick man simply.

"Died, and been cast to perdition!"

"I’m used to that; I’ve had a bad time here in Pontiac."

His thin hands moved restlessly. His leg moved,