I had the assurance that the folk who were awake were praying for the others, and consequently for me.

I felt less lonely.

I really believe the bells are sounded for the special benefit of the sick who cannot sleep." "The bells ring for others, notably for the trouble-makers.

The rather common inscription for the side of a bell, '_Paco cruentos_,' 'I pacify the bloody-minded,' is singularly apt, when you think it over." This conversation was still haunting Durtal when he went to bed.
Carhaix's phrase, "The ring of the bells is the real sacred music," took hold of him like an obsession.

And drifting back through the centuries he saw in dream the slow processional of monks and the kneeling congregations responding to the call of the angelus and drinking in the balm of holy sound as if it were consecrated wine.
All the details he had ever known of the liturgies of ages came crowding into his mind.