He stepped back from the window and looked at anicon of the Saviour in His crown of thorns.

Above the lectern was the little lamp and anicon of Christ in His crown of thorns.

He tried as it were to keep his mind in blinkers, to see nothing but the light of the candles on the altar-screen, theicons, and those conducting the service.

On entering the sanctuary he bowed, crossing himself as usual and bending double before theicons. Then, raising his head but without turning, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at the Abbot, whom he saw standing beside another glittering figure.

In the back part was Hilary's grave, while in the front was a niche for sleeping, with a straw mattress, a small table, and a shelf withicons and books.

Over the table in the room hung a lamp with a shade, which brightly lit up the tea-things, a bottle of vodka, and some refreshments, besides illuminating the brick walls, which in the far corner were hung withicons on both sides of which were pictures.

He frowned, and having shaken the snow off his cap and coat, stopped in front of theicons as if not seeing anyone, crossed himself three times, and bowed to theicons.