Clouds
of incense rose from censers, swung with solemn motion by the
altar-boys, and the fragrance of the incense was wafted down the long
aisles. At last, the tinkling of a bell. The organ became silent for
an instant, as though it felt within its heart the awful solemnity of
the moment; and then it burst forth into new rapture, and the people
began pouring out through the great doors.
[Sidenote: We Must Follow the Star]
Gaspard went forth with the throng into the cathedral square. "And
this," he said, "is the end of my search. I have found the Christ. His
kingdom is in the imagination of man. How beautiful, how wonderful,
how strange it was! 'Dominus vobiscum,' did not the priests say? Here,
then, at last I have found the city of the great King."
But as he lingered, behold! the star which had stood over the dome
of the cathedral was now before him, as at first, and seemed to waver
and tremble, as if beckoning him on. So, although his feet seemed
bound to the spot, and his heart was still throbbing with the deep
feelings the cathedral service had created in him, remembering the
words of Balthazar, "we must follow the star," he slowly and reluctantly
walked on.
[Sidenote: The Just Shall Live by Faith]
In the meantime Melchoir also had followed faithfully the path along
which the star seemed to lead.
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