“Their ideas are totally self-serving. The Rapture philosophy demands a consistently negative, chauvinist, apocalyptic reading of Old Testament prophecy. Walters and his kind marginalize the Christian message of equal grace, and common justice, for mankind. But as Simon’s been telling you, they have credulous ears in high places in my country now, and a president who freely admits his belief in it all. We must find a way to stop them, quarantine their influence, or they’ll have a devastating effect not only on the future of Christianity, but on all efforts toward religious harmony in the world.”

Unobserved, Simon had been standing a little away with Grace. Calvin’s words had made him conscious of his own prejudices; and he stepped up to him now, looked at him, and saw eyes closely related to Alex and Will looking back at him. In a move that played down sentimentality, he grasped him by the hand, and shook it firmly, then looked away again, up at the rose glass.

“And we should remember,” Henry added, aware that they were being watched by a silent stranger in the aisle, “that even if they’ve gone to ground now, with your professor discharged from his hospital bed and sent packing to his friends in Washington with a host of unfulfilled promises to them, they are still out there. These believers in the Rapture are determined to dig up a ‘seventh vial’ somewhere. They want a war.”

Lucy heard Henry, and shuddered as though someone had walked on her grave. She could feel Alex’s firm hold of her, but wondered were they out of their labyrinth, or still trapped in a last, hidden loop?

IT WAS JUST BEFORE TWO O’CLOCK WHEN ALEX AND LUCY LED A procession of their friends and family to the mairie in the town center; and by four, they were at L’Aigle. In the garden in broad sunshine, Simon saw a ghost, and called to his hosts. Only Alex was unalarmed by the haunting presence, and he now introduced Lucy to the young woman whose unforgettable face had animated Will’s photos from Sicily.

“Mi dispiace, Laura. Non parlo bene l’Italiano, ma, le presento sua sorella, Lucia—Lucy.”