Moved
by a sudden impulse the Cardinal rose, and going to the window
looked anxiously out, and down into the street below. Not a living
creature was to be seen. The moonlight spread itself in a vast
silver glory over the whole width of the square, and the delicate
sculpture of the great rose-window of the Cathedral, centrally
suspended between the two tall towers, looked in the fine pale
radiance like a giant spider's web sparkling with fairy dew. Again--
again!--that weary sobbing cry! It went to the Cardinal's heart, and
stirred him to singular pain and pity.
"Surely it is some lost or starving creature," he said--"Some poor
soul seeking comfort in a comfortless world." Hastily throwing on
his garments he left his room, treading cautiously in order not to
disturb the sleeping household,--and feeling his way down the short,
dark staircase, he easily reached the door and passed noiselessly
out into the square. Walking a few steps hurriedly he paused, once
more listening. The night was intensely calm;--not a cloud crossed
the star-spangled violet dome of air wherein the moon soared
serenely, bathing all visible things in a crystalline brilliancy so
pure and penetrative, that the finest cuttings on the gigantic grey
facade of Notre Dame could be discerned and outlined as distinctly
as though every little portion were seen through a magnifying glass.
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