There was something indescribable about
the boy even in this reposeful attitude of study,--and Angela
observed him for a minute or two, herself unseen. His face reminded
her of one of Fra Angelico's seraphs,--the same broad brow, deep
eyes and sensitive lips, which seemed to suggest the utterance of
wondrous speech or melodious song,--the same golden hair swept back
in rich clusters,--the same eager, inspired, yet controlled
expression. A curious fluttering of her heart disturbed the girl as
she looked--an indefinable dread--a kind of wonder, that almost
touched on superstitious awe. Manuel himself, apparently unconscious
of her observation, went on reading,--his whole attitude expressing
that he was guarding the door to deter anyone from breaking in upon
the Cardinal's rest, and Angela at last turned away reluctantly,
questioning herself as to the cause of the strange uneasiness which
thrilled her mind.
"It is foolish, of course,"--she murmured, "but I feel just as if
there were a supernatural presence in the house, . . . however,--I
always do have that impression with Uncle Felix, for he is so good
and noble-minded,--almost a saint, as everyone says--but to-day
there is something else--something quite unusual--"
She re-entered the drawing-room, moving slowly with an abstracted
air, and did not at once perceive a visitor in the room,--a portly
person in clerical dress, with a somewhat large head and strongly
marked features,--a notable character of the time in Paris, known as
the Abbe Vergniaud.
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