In the Cathedral, all became
gray, murky, and sepulchral, and the cracked monotonous mutter went
on like a dying voice, until the organ and the choir burst forth,
and drowned it in a sea of music. Then, the sea fell, and the
dying voice made another feeble effort, and then the sea rose high,
and beat its life out, and lashed the roof, and surged among the
arches, and pierced the heights of the great tower; and then the
sea was dry, and all was still.
Mr. Grewgious had by that time walked to the chancel-steps, where
he met the living waters coming out.
'Nothing is the matter?' Thus Jasper accosted him, rather quickly.
'You have not been sent for?'
'Not at all, not at all. I came down of my own accord. I have
been to my pretty ward's, and am now homeward bound again.'
'You found her thriving?'
'Blooming indeed. Most blooming. I merely came to tell her,
seriously, what a betrothal by deceased parents is.'
'And what is it--according to your judgment?'
Mr. Grewgious noticed the whiteness of the lips that asked the
question, and put it down to the chilling account of the Cathedral.
'I merely came to tell her that it could not be considered binding,
against any such reason for its dissolution as a want of affection,
or want of disposition to carry it into effect, on the side of
either party.'
'May I ask, had you any especial reason for telling her that?'
Mr.
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