There was a little confusion in his mind in consequence; but as the days went on things gradually became much clearer.
Now Austin, in spite of his utter indifference to, or indeed aversion from, theological religion, had always loved his Sundays.

To him they were as days of heaven upon earth, and in them he appeared to take an instinctive delight, as though the very atmosphere of the day filled him with spiritual aspirations, and thoughts which belonged not to this world.

Above all, he loved Sunday evenings, which appeared to him a season hallowed in some special way, when all high and pure influences were felt in their greatest intensity.

And now another Sunday came round, and, as had been the case all through his illness, he felt and knew by instinct what day it was.

He lay quite still, as the distant chime of the church bells was wafted through the air, faint but just audible in the silent room.