Catesby was a youthful member of an ancient English house, which for many generations had without a murmur, rather in a spirit of triumph, made every worldly sacrifice for the Church and court of Rome. For that cause they had forfeited their lives, broad estates, and all the honors of a lofty station in their own land. Reginald Catesby, with considerable abilities, trained with consummate skill, inherited their determined will, and the traditionary beauty of their form and countenance. His manners were winning, and, he was as well informed in the ways of the world as he was in the works of the great casuists.
My lord has ordered the charbanc, and is going to drive us all to Chart, where we will lunch, said Lady St. Jerome; tis a curious place, and was planted, only seventy years ago, by my lords grandfather, entirely with spruce-firs, but with so much care and skill, giving each plant and tree ample distance, that they have risen to the noblest proportions, with all their green branches far-spreading on the ground like huge fans.
It was only a drive of three or four miles entirely in the park. This was a district that had been added to the ancient enclosurea striking scene. It was a forest of firs, but quite unlike such as might be met with in the north of Europe or of America. Every tree was perfecthuge and complete, and full of massy grace. Nothing else was permitted to grow there except juniper, of which there were abounding and wondrous groups, green and spiral; the whole contrasting with the tall brown fern, of which there were quantities about, cut for the deer.
The turf was dry and mossy, and the air pleasant. It was a balmy day. They sat down by the great trees, the servants opened the luncheon-baskets, which were a present from Balmoral. Lady St. Jerome was seldom seen to greater advantage than distributing her viands under such circumstances. Never was such gay and graceful hospitality. Lothair was quite fascinated as she playfully thrust a paper of lobster-sandwiches into his hand, and enjoined Monsignore Catesby to fill his tumbler with Chablis.
I wish Father Coleman were here, said Lothair to Miss Arundel.
Why? said Miss Arundel.
Because we were in the midst of a very interesting conversation on idolatry and on worship in groves, when Lady St. Jerome summoned us to our drive. This seems a grove where one might worship.
Father Coleman ought to be at Rome, said Miss Arundel. He was to have passed Holy Week there. I know not why he changed his plans.
Are you angry with him for it?
No, not angry, but surprised; surprised that any one might be at Rome, and yet be absent from it.
You like Rome?
I have never been there. It is the wish of my life.
May I say to you what you said to me just nowwhy?
Naturally, because I would wish to witness the ceremonies of the Church in their most perfect form.
But they are fulfilled in this country, I have heard, with much splendor and precision.
Miss Arundel shook her head.
Oh! no, she said; in this country we are only just emerging from the catacombs. If the ceremonies of the Church were adequately fulfilled in England, we should hear very little of English infidelity.
That is saying a great deal, observed Lothair, inquiringly.
Had I that command of wealth of which we hear so much in the present day, and with which the possessors seem to know so little what to do, I would purchase some of those squalid streets in Westminster, which are the shame of the metropolis, and clear a great space and build a real cathedral, where the worship of heaven should be perpetually conducted in the full spirit of the ordinances of the Church. I believe, were this done, even this country might be saved.
CHAPTER 16
Lothair began to meditate on two great ideasthe reconciliation of Christendom, and the influence of architecture on religion. If the differences between the Roman and Anglican Churches, and between the papacy and Protestantism generally arose, as Father Coleman assured him, and seemed to prove, in mere misconception, reconciliation, though difficult, did not seem impossible, and appeared to be one of the most efficient modes of defeating the atheists. It was a result which, of course, mainly depended on the authority of Reason; but the power of the imagination might also be enlisted in the good cause through the influence of the fine arts, of which the great mission is to excite, and at the same time elevate, the feelings of the human family. Lothair found himself frequently in a reverie over Miss Arundels ideal fane; and, feeling that he had the power of buying up a district in forlorn Westminster, and raising there a temple to the living God, which might influence the future welfare of millions, and even effect the salvation of his country, he began to ask himself whether he could incur the responsibility of shrinking from the fulfilment of this great duty.
Lothair could not have a better adviser on the subject of the influence of architecture on religion than Monsignore Catesby. Monsignore Catesby had been a pupil of Pugin; his knowledge of ecclesiastical architecture was only equalled by his exquisite taste. To hear him expound the mysteries of symbolical art, and expatiate on the hidden revelations of its beauteous forms, reached even to ecstasy. Lothair hung upon his accents like a neophyte. Conferences with Father Coleman on those points of faith on which they did not differ, followed up by desultory remarks on those points of faith on which they ought not to differcritical discussions with Monsignore Catesby on cathedrals, their forms, their purposes, and the instances in several countries in which those forms were most perfect and those purposes best securedoccupied a good deal of time; and yet these engaging pursuits were secondary in real emotion to his frequent conversations with Miss Arundel in whose society every day he took a strange and deeper interest.
She did not extend to him that ready sympathy which was supplied by the two priests. On the contrary, when he was apt to indulge in those speculations which they always encouraged, and rewarded by adroit applause, she was often silent, throwing on him only the scrutiny of those violet yes, whose glance was rather fascinating than apt to captivate. And yet he was irresistibly drawn to her, and, once recalling the portrait in the gallery, he ventured to murmur that they were kinsfolk.
Oh! I have no kin, no country, said Miss Arundel. These are not times for kin and country. I have given up all these things for my Master!
But are our times so trying as that? inquired Lothair.
They are times for new crusades, said Miss Arundel, with energy, though it may be of a different character from the old. If I were a man, I would draw my sword for Christ. There are as great deeds to be done as the siege of Ascalon, or even as the freeing of the Holy Sepulchre.
In the midst of a profound discussion with Father Coleman on Mariolatry, Lothair, rapt in reverie, suddenly introduced the subject of Miss Arundel. I wonder what will be her lot? he exclaimed.
It seems to, me to be settled, said Father Coleman. She will be the bride of the Church.
Indeed? and he started, and even changed color.
She deems it her vocation, said Father Coleman.
And yet, with such gifts, to be immured in a convent, said Lothair.
That would not necessarily follow, replied Father Coleman. Miss Arundel may occupy a position in which she may exercise much influence for the great cause which absorbs her being.
There is a divine energy about her, said Lothair, almost speaking to himself. It could not have been given for little ends.