seeming to gather in a lustrous halo round his tall, majestic figure,—­his countenance, fully illumined and clearly visible, was one never to be forgotten for the striking force, sweetness, and dignity expressed in its every feature.  The veriest scoffer that ever made mock of fine beliefs and fair virtues must have been momentarily awed and silenced in the presence of such a man as this,—­a man upon whom the grace of a perfect life seemed to have fallen like a royal robe, investing even his outward appearance with spiritual authority and grandeur.  At sight of him, the stranger’s indifferent air rapidly changed to one of eager interest,—­leaning forward, he regarded him intently with a look of mingled astonishment and unwilling admiration,—­the monk meanwhile extended his hands as though in blessing and spoke aloud, his Latin words echoing through the rocky temple with the measured utterance of poetical rhythm.  Translated they ran thus: 

“Glory to God, the Most High, the Supreme and Eternal!”

And with one harmonious murmur of accord the brethren responded: 

“Glory for ever and ever!  Amen!”

“Glory to God, the Ruler of Spirits and Master of Angels!”

“Glory for ever and ever!  Amen!”

“Glory to God who in love never wearies of loving!”

“Glory for ever and ever!  Amen!”

“Glory to God in the Name of His Christ our Redeemer!”

“Glory for ever and ever!  Amen!”

“Glory to God for the joys of the Past, the Present and Future!”

“Glory for ever and ever!  Amen!”

“Glory to God for the Power of Will and the working of Wisdom!”

“Glory for ever and ever!  Amen!”

“Glory to God for the briefness of life, the gladness of death, and the promised Immortal Hereafter!”

“Glory for ever and ever!  Amen!”

Then came a pause, during which the thunder outside added a tumultuous Gloria of its own to those already recited,—­the organ music died away into silence, and the monk now turning so that he faced the altar, sank reverently on his knees.  All present followed his example, with the exception of the stranger, who, as if in deliberate defiance, drew himself resolutely up to his full height, and, folding his arms, gazed at the scene before him with a perfectly unmoved demeanor,—­he expected to hear some long prayer, but none came.  There was an absolute stillness, unbroken save by the rattle of the rain-drops against the high oriel window, and the whistling rush of the wind.  And as he looked, the fiery Cross began to grow dim and pale,—­little by little, its scintillating lustre decreased, till at last it disappeared altogether,