There was no time for another visit till after the second service,
and then Dr. May and Mary, going to Bankside, found that instead of
returning home, Ave had again locked herself up between the services,
and that Minna, who had ventured on a mission of recall, had come
home crying heartily both at the dreary disappointment of knocking in
vain, and at the grand mournful sounds of funeral marches that had
fallen on her ear. Every one who had been at the chapel that day was
speaking of the wonderful music, the force and the melody of the
voluntary at the dismissal of the congregation; no one had believed
that such power resided in the harmonium. Mr. Scudamour had spoken
to Miss Ward most kindly both before and after evening service, but
his attempt to take her home had been unavailing; she had answered
that she was going presently, and he was obliged to leave her.

Evening was coming on, and she had not come, so the other keys were
fetched from the sexton's, and Dr. May and his daughter set off to
storm her fortress. Like Minna, the Doctor was almost overpowered by
the wonderful plaintive sweetness of the notes that were floating
through the atmosphere, like a wailing voice of supplication. They
had almost unnerved him, as he waited while Mary unlocked the door.

The sound of its opening hushed the music; Averil turned her head,
and recognizing them, came to them, very pale, and with sunken eyes.
'You are coming home, dear Ave,' said Mary; and she made no
resistance or objection, only saying, 'Yes. It has been so nice
here!'

'You must come now, though,' said the Doctor. 'Your brother is very
much grieved at your leaving him.'