Mildred Arkell, (Vol 3 of 3)

cathedral, and, as soon as they were opened, rushed in, and took possession of the ed

the front entrance and receive the judges, who were attended in state to the cathedral, just as they had been attended into West

le forty being primly starched for the occasion. They had laid in their customary supply of pins, for it was the boys' pleasure, during the service on Assize Sunday, t

horisters. Which was wrong: they ought to have gone below them. Henry Arkell, as senior chorister, took precedence of all when in the cathedral; but not when out of it,

en we must move up," obs

the choristers moved ab

emanded Prattleton. "How dare

Prattleton." It must be understood that this sort of clashing could only occur on occasions like the present: on

"Choristers, move down; you juniors, do you hear

responded a timid junior, who fancied M

d Prattleton was savage. "King'

s no light matter to disobey the senior chorister in the cathedral. Others moved u

berforce to step here. Should he have gone int

ardcast," foamed Prattle

e turned round at the word. "I am not under your order

ce, in his surplice and hood, was seen advancing.

oys making? I'll flog you all to-morrow

for you, sir, than to have a

re! You had bette

ke precedence of the choriste

had better return to the bottom of school, and learn them. Arkell, in this place, you have the command. King's scholars move dow

d the bedesmen, were crossing the cathedral; and a flourish of trumpets, outside, told of the approach of the judges. The Reverend Mr.

nd as the judges passed in their flowing scarlet robes with the trains held up behind, and their imposing wigs, so terrible to look at, the bows of the choristers were much mor

s waited there to go in with the dean and chapter. One of them, and it was Mr. Wilberforce's own son, had made a mistake in the morning in fastening his own surplice to a countrywoman's purple stuff gown, instead of two gowns together; and, when they came to part company, the surplice proved the weakest. The consequence was an eno

denly a college boy, who was late, came flying from the cloisters and dashed into the choir, to crave the keys of the schoolroom from the senior boy, that he might procure his surplice. It was Lewis junior; so, against the rules, Prattleton condescended to give him the keys; almost any other boy he would have told to whistle for them, and m

ut Aultane, in a loud whisper, as he

place, Aultane

ne chose

ry Arkell, his tone one of hasty autho

two making their way to the side aisles; and two insignificant little old men, arm

se," said he, commencing a

nstant, Aultan

u b

bowed profoundly as they passed him, turned, and bent their severe yellow faces upon Aultane. Lewis junior crept away

m, for they bore no more resemblance to the fierce and fiery visions of

whether they could order him before them on the morrow and transport him. Wilberforce was in another agony, lest t

to add, even by a glance, to the confusion of a fallen enemy: but the other ch

upted Henry Arkell. "More of this,

e himself with anger, he crossed over, and raised his hand to strike Arkell. But one of

w where you

em, sneaked Lewis junior, who was settling himself into his surplice. Mrs. Beauclerc passed on, but

, young gentlemen! Wh

the dean," cried Aultane, too angry to

"but I'd keep a civil tongue in my head, if I were you, Aultane. I only w

the dean to ask him where his gold medal is,"

u mean?" sh

im a thousand half-crowns for hi

peated Miss Beauclerc,

it had been welcome, rather than that she should hear of an act, which, to his peculiarly refined tempera

Aultane; "that is, he won'

Lewis, from behind, who had he

look of patient anguish. She cast an annihilating frown at Lewis, and, raising her finger haughtily motioned

he matter?" he hurriedly said to Henry, who had

hank you, M

ni side, seven boys being above him and seven below him. The choristers were on raised seats in front of the lay-cl

ce and took the roll to the dean, continuing his way to the organ-loft, to inquire what anthem had been put up. He brought word back to Arkell, 'The Lord is very great and terrible. Beckwith.' Aultane would as soon have exchanged words with the yellow-faced little man sitt

Lord is very great. Beckwith," Mr. Smith flew into a temper. He had a first-rate voice, was a good singer, and being inordinately vain, liked to give himself airs. "I have a horrid cold

be done?" wh

h you would oblige me by going yourself, Arkell: the juniors are always making mistakes. My com

d the message. The organist was wroth: and but for those two little old gentlemen, whom he kn

noon?" asked he, sharply,

plied Henry. "He i

erk, and turned over its leaves. He came to the anthe

to do justice to t

I am," replied

who was always very short with the chorister

and made haste to his own stall, to be in time for the soli parts in the Cantate Domino, which was being sung that afternoon in place of the Magnificat. In passing the bench of king's scholars, a foot was suddenly extende

ce was missed in the Cantate; Ault

em's changed?" debated the

lace. Had there been any change, he would have gone and told Wilb

without my accompaniment,"

er giving the requisite notice of the change in the anthem to Mr. Wilberforce and Aultane, he entered his stall; but his face was white as the wh

taken from the

that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine

y eye was on him, wondering at the beauty of his voice, at the marvellous beauty of his countenance: some sympathised with his emotion; some were wrapt in the solemn thoughts created by the words. When the

the ending approached, and the voices ceased, and the last sound of the organ died u

one of the lay-clerks from behind, as

espo

going to sleep. There's the de

as he was desired, but

him up with a sudden jerk. But he did not hold him, and the poor

nding what caused the hubbub, and inwardly vowing to flog the whole five on the morrow. Mr. Smith, a strong man, came out of his stall, lifted the lifeless form in his arms, and carried it out to the side aisle, the head, like a dead weight

in the cloisters. "Is he better?" asked Mrs. Beaucl

he vestry. Young Wilberforce ran and got som

n the choir?" continued Mr

emarked Mr. St. John. "It was

leave your seat to follow him?" she continued, in a

unpleasantly struck with his appearance as

ed his hand to strike Arkell. Aultane reproached him with having"-Georgin

prize medal?" ech

ned

he tricks of the college boys, but he could not

iumph. Henry did not deny it: he looked as if he could not. But I know he is the soul of honour, and if he has done

his," mentally s