The Little Schoolmaster Mark

small; in fact, the stage was larger than the auditorium. The play took place in the afternoon, and ther

on by an intense melancholy horror. When the violins, the flutes, and the fifes began the overture, a new sense seemed given to him, which was not pleasure but the intensest dread. If the singing of the Signorina had been a shock to him, accustomed as he was only to the solemn singing of his childhood, what must this elfish, weird, melodious music have seemed, full of gay and careless life, a

e wild singing, were shocking to him. When the Signorina appeared, the strange intensity of her colour, the brilliancy of her eyes, and what seemed to him the freedom of her gestures and the boldness of her bewitching glances, far fro

high-toned touching pathos even, it would not all have seemed so much the work of evil. When the comedy was over he crept silently away to his room; and in the e

ildren and to children's sports. These gibing grimaces, these endless bowings and scrapings and false compliments, known of all to be f

mocked at him; the weird strains of unknown instruments reached his half-conscious bewildered sense. E

which opened on gardens and walks at the back of

med to see again the possibility of escape from evil, and the hope of righteousness and peace. His whole spirit went out in prayer and love to the Almighty, who had made these lovely things. He felt as he had been wont to do when, on a fine Sunday, he had walked home with his children in order, relating to them the most be

came to a very long but narrow avenue of old elm trees that led down a gradual slope, as it seemed,

ing along the path to meet him: as it approached he saw that it was that of a lady of tall and commanding appearance, and apparently of great beauty; she wore the dress of some sisterho

to their Highnesses," she s

id that

d the lady, very kindly; "a

ark, not answering the question; "I th

ne," said the lady; "wal

palace. After a moment or two he said: "I am not happy

to you? The Prince is very kind, and the chi

y. "I cannot make you understand why I am so miserabl

rst of all?" said the lad

ooks at me with his quiet smile-when the look comes into his eyes as though he could see through time even into eternity-when he loo

o; it was not that she did not understand

d not the Prince," she said a

say next. They had now nearly reached the end of

" she said, "I will

owards the old house at the farther end. The

t they are all wrong

the gardens, and the flowers. I have never heard anything except of God-of the wretchedness of sin-of beautiful stories of good people. My grandfather, when he was alive, us

seem to notice this l

. Do not lose this privilege.' If I lose this privilege, how sad that will be! But here, in the palace, they think nothing of these things-inste

ed the hall by an open door. As they entered, Mark could hear the sound of looms, and inside were several men and women at different machines employed in weaving cloth. The Princess spoke to several, and leading Mark onward she ascended a wide staircase, and reached at last a long gallery at the back of the house. Here were many looms, an

be here, gracious Hi

he long room, and the noise of the looms made a continuous murmur t

at Mark for some m

said at last, "but more than ever t

her as though his

id in a low voice,

" said the Princess, "an

se; then the Pr

never to join a particular society which proposes, as its object, to serve God better than others. You are safer, more in the way of serving God in the palace, even amid the singing and the music which seems to you so wicked. They are happy; they are thoughtless, gay, like the birds. They have at least no dark gloomy

ant forest without seeing it.

no thought of saying such words when I brought you here. I seem to h

"if it be not good? The Prince would be glad if yo

ck at every turn, there was no reality, no sincere walk anywhere possible. The worse seemed

one I shall forget this; I shall think otherwise. There is

ple really not happ

up all that makes life pleasant-fine clothes, delicate food, cunning harmonies, love, gay devices,

ght before me,-a bright and easy path; and the end was always light. Now all is difficult and strange. Since I passed through the gates with the golden scrolls, which I thought were like the heavenly

but you. They never saw any one like you before. They know it and speak of it. All are changed somewhat since you came; you might, it is true, come to me, but I sho

fore him for some mo

wish to do right and good to all; but what good shall I do if it take

t that-never that. It is imp

Why? The Prince is very kind. H

'Do it again.' It can never be done again. You have passed, as you say, the golden gates into an enchanted world; you have

ace this time. His eyes were di

chool, and the children have passed away. I should not find them there, as t

ance and remorse; instead of indifference and sarcasm there will be contrition; in place of thoughtless kindliness a tender love. Do not be afraid to die. The charm is working now; it will increase when sight is changed for memory, and the c

rincess Isoline would have let him come to her. Then he thought all might yet be well. When he reached th