Page:Littell's Living Age - Volume 162.djvu/240

228 receive newer and fresher food for conversation.

The curé had just ended his sermon, which generally formed the conclusion of the service; but instead of retiring as usual behind the altar-gates, which in Greek, or as they are called here Russian, churches, separate the shepherd from his flock, he remained standing outside facing his congregation, and opened the green-leather book in which were entered the names of couples about to be married.

Some of the more attentive parishioners looked up surprised at the sight of the volume in question, for there were no marriages at present known to be on the village tapis. It was still too early for that, for the harvest had scarcely begun.

However, the curé cleared his throat twice running, and with unusual pomp and solemnity he read out as follows: —

"The marriage banns are published between our most gracious lady and mistress the proprietress of Rudniki, Madame Sophie Wolska, relict of the late Stefan Wolski, and his Highness the noble Prince Stanislas Rascalinski. If any one is aware of an existing impediment," etc., etc., etc. A lively buzz of excitement and interest drowned the conclusion of his speech.

A prince! A real live prince, had he said? Had they really heard aright? Madame would be a princess! The village felt itself raised in its own estimation by this announcement.

But the priest had still something more to say, and when quiet was restored he resumed, —

"My brethren, it is further my particularly agreeable task to have to announce to you that, in commemoration of this joyful event, Madame Wolska, the future Princess Rascalinska, has directed" — here he paused and moistened his lips, as though he were about to swallow some particularly delicious morsel, of which he was anxious to enjoy the full flavor — "has directed that a sum of three hundred florins should be presented to the church of Rudniki, the direction and employment of that money being left to my discretion. After mature consideration and calculation, I have therefore decided to divide this money into two halves, — the one half for relieving the wants of the poor, while the other half will be employed in renewing or replacing some of the church decorations. With a view to this object, I invite the older members of the community to repair to the sacristy after vespers this afternoon, to consult upon the matter."

The meeting was accordingly held that afternoon after vespers, and it proved to be both long and warm. Although all the wisest heads of the place (witness the sacristan, the schoolmaster, the sexton) were engaged in this conclave, yet after more than an hour's talk they could not for the lives of them agree as to how the money was to be spent. It was so difficult to make a choice as to which portion of the church was to be renewed, when everything was in such woful need of renewal. Certainly the carpet before the altar, used on high festivals, was tattered and shabby, and the set of candlesticks incomplete and broken, and would seem to cry out most loudly for substitutes. But then, again, the gates of the chancel would put in their claim, and plaintively recall the days when they used to be golden, and the time when they really could shut and open naturally. The sacristan, wiping his brow at the mere recollection, assured the company that it was no joke to force the rusty hinges to open on a day like this; but here the priest interrupted him, to suggest that a new carpet was far more urgent : —

"I feel quite ashamed of it each time I kneel before the altar. It cannot be pleasing to God to hear prayer pronounced on such a parcel of rags."

The candlestick advocate now humbly observed that, at the last festival, two of the candle-holders had been broken, and that their parts were now enacted by old beer-bottles.

"But the candlesticks only fell down because the altar was so rickety," said another. "A new altar is what is needed first and foremost."

"And I should have liked a new hell," put in the old priest plaintively. "I have noticed that this one no longer produces enough effect among the people. The flames are all falling off in flakes, and the devils have quite lost their expression. The youngest child in the village could hardly be frightened at them now;" and he heaved a deep sigh.

"But a new picture would take at least three months to get ready, whereas a carpet or candlesticks could be got at once," said the sexton, who was of a hot, impetuous nature.

Every one had spoken and given his opinion except Filip, who stood silent, his brow drawn together in deep thought.

"I will tell your Reverence what I