He stared only, as at a picture, through the dusty sunlight that poured in through the shrouded windows, at the scarlet lines to right and left, up to the huge scarlet canopy, and the white figure that sat there.

Certainly, these southerners understood the power of effect.

It was as vivid and impressive as a vision of the Host in a jewelled monstrance.

Every accessory was gorgeous, the high room, the colour of the robes, the chains and crosses, and as the eye moved along to its climax it was met by a piece of dead white--as if glory was exhausted and declared itself impotent to tell the supreme secret.

Scarlet and purple and gold were well enough for those who stood on the steps of the throne--they needed it; but for Him who sat there nothing was needed.