and a bag, such as Judas used to hold in the old pictures, was carried round to receive contributions.  Everything was done not only “decently and in order,” but, perhaps one might say, with a certain air of magnifying their office on the part of the dignified clergymen, often two or three in number.  The music and the free welcome were grateful to Iris, and she forgot her prejudices at the door of the chapel.  For this was a church with open doors, with seats for all classes and all colors alike,—­a church of zealous worshippers after their faith, of charitable and serviceable men and women, one that took care of its children and never forgot its poor, and whose people were much more occupied in looking out for their own souls than in attacking the faith of their neighbors.  In its mode of worship there was a union of two qualities,—­the taste and refinement, which the educated require just as much in their churches as else where, and the air of stateliness, almost of pomp, which impresses the common worshipper, and is often not without its effect upon those who think they hold outward forms as of little value.  Under the half-Romish aspect of the Church of Saint Polycarp, the young girl found a devout and loving and singularly cheerful religious spirit.  The artistic sense, which betrayed itself in the dramatic proprieties of its ritual, harmonized with her taste.  The mingled murmur of the loud responses, in those rhythmic phrases, so simple, yet so fervent, almost as if every tenth heartbeat, instead of its dull tic-tac, articulated itself as “Good Lord, deliver us!”—­the sweet alternation of the two choirs, as their holy song floated from side to side,—­the keen young voices rising like a flight of singing-birds that passes from one grove to another, carrying its music with it back and forward,—­why should she not love these gracious outward signs of those inner harmonies which none could deny made beautiful the lives of many of her fellow-worshippers in the humble, yet not inelegant Chapel of Saint Polycarp?

The young Marylander, who was born and bred to that mode of worship, had introduced her to the chapel, for which he did the honors for such of our boarders as were not otherwise provided for.  I saw them looking over the same prayer-book one Sunday, and I could not help thinking that two such young and handsome persons could hardly worship together in safety for a great while.  But they seemed to mind nothing but their prayer-book.  By-and-by the silken bag was handed round.—­I don’t believe she will;—­so awkward, you know;—­besides, she only came by invitation.  There she is, with her hand in her pocket, though,—­and sure enough, her little bit of silver tinkled as it struck the coin beneath.  God bless her! she hasn’t much to give; but her eye glistens when she gives it, and that is all Heaven asks.—­That was the first time I noticed these young people together, and I am sure they behaved with the most charming propriety,—­in fact, there was one of our