Chapters 5-8 Summary

In Chapter 5, Raven leads Vane into the forest and tells him that a hawthorn tree is in the ruins of a church from which prayers rise in the form of pigeons. He points out a "prayer-flower" that he knows by its expression but cannot teach Vane to recognize. Vane must open his own eyes. Seeing a shadow of prayer, Vane is filled with awe. They continue on, in Chapter 6, to the Sexton's Cottage. Winter arrives rapidly. Inside, a woman in white with eyes like God's own emerges from a coffin-like door. Raven resumes the form of an elderly librarian and talks about taking other forms. Bread and wine calm Vane and, trusting the Ravens, despite talk about their being unable to wake him, Vane follows them through the inner door.

In Chapter 7 Vane sees Mrs. Raven transformed briefly into a radiant...