arches, and festoons of fruit and flowers, and bells and
pomegranates. On either side of the door were two men, who quickly
glanced


[AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 57]

at each one who passed, and as quickly pricked a mark against his
name on the chapel lists. As the freshman went by, they made a
careful study of his person, and took mental daguerreotypes of his
features. Seeing no beadle, or pew-opener (or, for the matter of
that, any pews), or any one to direct him to a place, Mr. Verdant
Green quietly took a seat in the first place that he found empty,
which happened to be the stall on the right hand of the
door. Unconscious of the trespass he was committing, he at once put
his cap to his face and knelt down; but he had no sooner risen from
his knees, than he found an imposing-looking Don, as large as life
and quite as natural, who was staring at him with the greatest
astonishment, and motioning him to immediately "come out of that!"
This our hero did with the greatest speed and confusion, and sank
breathless on the end of the nearest bench; when, just as in his
agitation, he had again said his prayer, the service fortunately
commenced, and somewhat relieved him of his embarrassment.

Although he had the glories of Magdalen, Merton, and New


[58 ADVENTURES OF MR. VERDANT GREEN]

College chapels fresh in his mind, yet Verdant was considerably