But when the ushers got up to take the collection , an undercurrent of subdued excitement flowed over the congregation . Sylvia rose and came forward to Janet Moore 's side at the organ . The next moment her beautiful voice soared through the building like the very soul of melody -- true , clear , powerful , sweet . Nobody in Spencervale had ever listened to such a voice , except Old Lady Lloyd herself , who , in her youth , had heard enough good singing to enable her to be a tolerable judge of it . She realized instantly that this girl of her heart had a great gift -- a gift that would some day bring her fame and fortune , if it could be duly trained and developed . `` Oh , I 'm so glad I came to church , '' thought Old Lady Lloyd . When the solo was ended , the Old Lady 's conscience compelled her to drag her eyes and thoughts from Sylvia , and fasten them on the minister , who had been flattering himself all through the opening portion of the service that Old Lady Lloyd had come to church on his account . He was newly settled , having been in charge of the Spencervale congregation only a few months ; he was a clever little fellow and he honestly thought it was the fame of his preaching that had brought Old Lady Lloyd out to church . When the service was over all the Old Lady 's neighbours came to speak to her , with kindly smile and handshake . They thought they ought to encourage her , now that she had made a start in the right direction ; the Old Lady liked their cordiality , and liked it none the less because she detected in it the same unconscious respect and deference she had been wont to receive in the old days -- a respect and deference which her personality compelled from all who approached her . The Old Lady was surprised to find that she could command it still , in defiance of unfashionable bonnet and ancient attire . Janet Moore and Sylvia Gray walked home from church together . `` Did you see Old Lady Lloyd out to-day ? '' asked Janet . `` I was amazed when she walked in . She has never been to church in my recollection . What a quaint old figure she is ! She 's very rich , you know , but she wears her mother 's old clothes and never gets a new thing . Some people think she is mean ; but , '' concluded Janet charitably , `` I believe it is simply eccentricity . '' `` I felt that was Miss Lloyd as soon as I saw her , although I had never seen her before , '' said Sylvia dreamily .
`` I have been wishing XXXXX see her -- for a certain reason .
although as except from like of on out over to