Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte

with her eyes closed seemed to be offering a prayer. This was soon ended
and she resumed her seat. It was all so new to me that I could not at first take
in much of the details of the service.
The preacher had a fine noble face which seemed to light up especially
as the hymns were heartily sung by the whole congregation.
Perhaps it was my imagination, but it seemed to me that a quiet smile of
approval passed over his face as his eyes rested on Paula who so fervently
joined in the songs--all of which seemed quite familiar to her.
It was an affecting thing, that vision of my girl companion. In her white
dress with its blue sash at the waist, and with her wide white straw hat, she
made a lovely picture. In that frank open countenance I think I read her
thoughts. Here in God's house she had entered once more the Promised Land
from which she had been exiled for four long years!
Suddenly the sun came from behind a cloud, especially designed, I
thought, to send a ray of rose-colored light through one of the stained-glass
windows of the church over that beautiful face at my side which now showed
only rapt attention to the simple gospel message saturated with God's Word
that flowed like a mighty river from the preacher's lips.
As we came through the door on our way out, I caught a glimpse of my
father's tall form just disappearing around a bend in the Rue San Eloi. I think
he must have stolen up to the door and had been listening outside!
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