...
First, for Christ's Catholic Church throughout the world, for her peace
and furtherance.... Next, for our England, for the conversion of all her
children; and, above all, for her Grace, my Queen and yours, that God
will bless and save her in this world, and her soul eternally in the
next. For these and all other such matters I will beg all Catholics to
join with me and to say the _Our Father_; and when I am in my agony to
say yet another for my soul."
"_Our Father_...."
From the whole packed space the prayer rose up, in great and heavy waves
of sound. There were cries of mockery three or four times, but each was
suddenly cut off.... The waves of sound rolled round and ceased, and the
silence was profound. The priest opened his eyes; closed them again.
Then with a loud voice he began to cry:
"O Christ, as Thine arms were extended--"
* * * * *
He stopped again, shaken even from that intense point of concentration
to which he was forcing himself, by the amazing sound that met his ears.
He had heard, at the close of the _Our Father_, a noise which he could
not interpret: but no more had happened. But now the whole world seemed
screaming and swaying: he heard the trample of horses beneath
him--voices in loud expostulation.
He opened his eyes; the clamour died again at the same instant.... For a
moment his eyes wandered over the heads and up to the sky, to see if
some vision.
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