Volume VII - Modernist Magazines Project

By Harold Frederic 101The casket had been lifted from his knees, and a priest held itbeside him, so that his ringed hand might lie upon it. Thephysician, bending on the other side, offered to loosen the robedrawn with oppressive tightness across his breast.The Bishop snarled an inarticulate dissent, and strove to lifthis free hand." Not any button ! " he murmured, thickly. " I abate no atomof my dignity. I will be dying with my robe seemingly disposed."His eyes mounted above the pain to look at Turlogh." In my ordo" he gasped out, laboriously "all directions arethere. You will observe the least of them ! "The Lord of Dunbeekin bowed, and made to take the bookfrom the hand of the priest who held it. The Bishop interposedwith a hoarse call, and strove to shake his head. Those closestround about gazed wonderingly into his troubled frowning face tocatch a hint of his meaning. The chaplain, bearing the viaticum,stooped forward to listen for some whispered words." Open the book ! " the slow, difficult command carhe." Search the rubric. Read aloud to me in what manner a Bishopreceives the viaticum ! "The priest with the book fumbled at its pages. He turned paleas he did so, and cast a confused, appealing glance at the chaplain.He went on, moving the leaves aimlessly, with a hanging lip." Read, read ! " insisted the Bishop in stern monition.The priest had the passage before him. He was a young man,soft-faced and gentle of mien. The tears started in his eyes, andhis mouth quivered as he remained speechless.The Bishop sought to rise in his chair. His lifeless face drewitself into lines of wrath ; his eyes gleamed, and his voice gurgledturbulently in his throat for a moment, then biirst forth in loud,unnatural tones. ; -The Yellow Book—Vol. VII. G " Shrine