Brideshead Revisited1981

[Father McKay is administering the Last Rites to Lord Marchmain]

Charles Ryder:
[voiceover] I recognised the words of Absolution and saw the priest make the sign of the cross. Then I knelt too and prayed: "Oh God, if there is a God, forgive him his sins, if there *is* such a thing as sin." I suddenly felt the longing for a sign, if only of courtesy, if only for the sake of the woman I loved who knelt, I knew, praying for a sign. It seemed such a small thing that was asked - the bare acknowledgement of a present. A nod in a crowd. I prayed more simply: "God forgive him his sins and please, God, make him accept your forgiveness." So small a thing to ask.

[Lord Marchmain stirs briefly, makes the sign of the cross, and lapses back into unconsciousness]

Charles Ryder:
[voiceover] Then I knew the sign I had asked for was *not* a little thing, not a passing nod of recognition. And a phrase came back to me from my childhood, of the veil of the temple being rent from top to bottom.