Page:The Mystery of Madeline Le Blanc (1900).djvu/55

Rh At four o'clock the body was followed to the chapel by a goodly number of friends; among them, with bent head and saddened countenance, walked Doctor Satiani. At the chapel, a few psalms, the ‘’Libera’’, and ‘’De Profundis’’ were chanted; for some time the holy fathers continued to administer the last services to the departed soul; and for the last time the friends viewed the body. From the folds of the white shroud protruded the wax-like hands, folded upon the golden cross of a pearl rosary.

By five o'clock the funeral line marched northward toward the cemetery. It was a sad procession. It is not so melancholy a thing to follow the remains of an aged person to the tomb, for however dear the departed may be, he had mounted a good score of years—he had fulfilled his task—he had lived. But to follow the bier of youth—hopeful, bright, ambitious youth, that was yet to flower and diffuse its fragrance; that had not yet had life and experience, but was just looking out toward them with the wistful eyes of innocent desire—to follow such to their last abode is indeed a solemn thing. "O mock-