The House in Grosvenor Square Read Free Page B

stone hall that ended at the chapel. A manservant led them to seats in a front row. Ariana was impressed with the massive interior, the circular ceiling, and long, stained-glass windows, beautiful against the morning light outside. The benches around and behind them were full of children of all ages, who emitted only a low murmur from their ranks.
    Ariana sat down, cognizant of the pleasure of being next to Mr. Mornay. She glanced at him now, but he continued to study the area ahead, where Mrs. Gullweather was preparing to speak. Ariana felt as though Phillip was somewhere else today, far distant from the proceedings, far distant from her. But she turned her attention to the front of the room just as he had. She would think no more on it for now.
    â€œBefore we begin,” Mrs. Gullweather said to the assembled guests, who, in addition to Ariana and her party, took up the first two rows of seats across the chapel, “we have arranged for the children to entertain you. We do endeavour to educate them profitably. Most of our graduates, when they leave us, go on to lead productive lives in society. We have had dozens of young people go off to be missionaries in foreign lands, and we have alsofurnished a good many governesses, cooks, and housemaids for people of quality. Many of our young gentlemen, it must be added, who do not choose the mission field, go on to find apprenticeships or serve as footmen or grooms in the best households.”
    With a wave of her hand, she added, “These are the same children who are brought to us destitute, with nothing but poverty, death, or a life of crime facing them. It is only by the generous help of our patrons,” she smiled benignly toward them, “that we are able to effect such changes for society.” After a brief pause for effect, she then said, “And now—the children.”
    The sight of the needy young orphans erased all other concerns from Ariana’s heart. How glad she was to have come today. She so wanted to somehow make a difference for children like these! God knew each by name and loved every one of them.
    The children stood in file and on cue began to sing an old hymn, “Ye Holy Angels, Bright.” By the end of the song, Ariana was thoroughly satisfied that the London Orphan Society was a worthy cause, indeed.
    When the dramatic actress, Mrs. Tiernan, finally stood before them, silent, even grave of countenance, a hush fell over the audience, including its youngest members. Her gown was of the classical Roman style, more like those that had been in vogue a decade ago. Expecting the actress to begin, the audience waited. But the woman kept her eyes fixed on a spot overhead, toward a window.
    When she continued to stare at that fixed point against the opposite wall, people began to look at it too. Was it supposed to mean something?
    Then just when everyone despaired of her ever doing anything other than staring at the window, she turned and faced the assembly. This time she stared down the main aisle, as though she were in a trance. Then suddenly, with a dramatic flourish of her arm, she cried, “ Hear the Word of the Lord! ” Her voice rang out loud and piercing as it cut into the silence.
    Then in a quieter tone, “ A dramatic reading from the book of Revelation, chapter one, verses ten through twenty. ” She slowly moved her gaze to take in the onlookers. Her eyes were calm and yet seemed to blaze from within, settling to flicker momentarily upon Ariana and her companions.
    Again the hush grew deep with anticipation. Mrs. Tiernan dropped suddenly to her knees, her arms raised high, and then turned her head as if listening. In a clear tone, which carried an authoritative quality, she began in earnest.
    â€œ I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as a trumpet. ” She added measured movements of her arms and even her body, so that she made a captivating sight.
    â€œ I turned to