Part 22 (2/2)

”I do not wish to drink any alcohol,” interrupted Frank.

”Who talks about alcohol? Do without stimulants. You do not need them.”

”I thought----” began Frank.

The grave voice of the doctor interrupted him. ”Young man, you must be careful about your diet; eat slowly--masticate well. Pa.s.s into the dispensing room.”

”What an odd man,” thought Frank, as he wended towards his home.

He pa.s.sed the next few weeks resting nearly all the time, taking very little exercise and a great deal of physic. He gradually grew better, his nervousness ceased, his heart resumed its normal condition, it palpitated no more.

He tried to be cheerful, but he still had great faith in pessimism.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE EFFECTS OF A SERMON.

One Sunday, contrary to his habit, Frank betook himself to one of the country churches. He had several reasons for doing so. He wanted to hear a French sermon; he wanted to be quiet, away from the world, etcetera.

As he went on his way, he dropped into a none too pleasant reverie.

”What a queer animal man is,” he thought; ”what a study. It is true that 'the proper study of mankind is man.'

”But, the more one meditates on humanity, the more one becomes disgusted with its artificialness and bad taste. People flock after trifles, they are devoid of refinement, a conjuror will have an immense number of admirers, a third-rate music-hall will fill, even to suffocation, while the man of genius, unless he be rich, often remains unnoticed. He who produces most exquisite poetry, soaring high above his fellow countrymen, carrying them out of life's dusty ways into a pure atmosphere, dies of starvation in a garret.”

He arrived at the church of St. ----. He entered the sanctuary and seated himself in a place from which he would be able to see the minister.

”This is a very comfortable position,” he said to himself.

He began to examine the people as they took their seats. Very different from one another were those who entered. The men took their seats with a deal of looking round and lifting of coat-tails.

They finally settled down, drawing a deep breath as they did so, as if the act of sitting was a prodigious effort.

Frank was, with his accustomed curiosity, examining an old woman who trudged in, wrapped up in an enormous shawl, when a lady touched him lightly on the shoulder. He turned round.

”Sir, this is my pew,” she said, ”you may go in any of those,”

pointing to the left.

”I beg your pardon,” said Frank, and he hastily left his seat and went in one of the pews which the lady had pointed out to him. Then he remembered that in his haste, he had forgotten to take his hat with him. He proceeded to fetch it. The lady who was occupying the pew with her husband and daughter handed him his hat, smiling as she did so.

”She might have allowed me to remain where I was,” thought the young man. He went on thinking: ”Perhaps, they have some superst.i.tion about wors.h.i.+pping in their own pew.”

He fancied everyone of the countryfolks was superst.i.tious. He wondered if Adele believed in these things. A sudden pang pa.s.sed through him, as he thought of her. His brow clouded as he recollected Jacques' words: ”The young Miss's engaged to a young fellow.”

The minister entered the church. No one rose. No formalities of any kind. He took his place quietly. The service began.

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