No one ever afterwards quite knew how the crowd in the church broke
up and dispersed itself after this denouement. For a few minutes the
crush of people round the pulpit was terrific; all eyes were fixed
on the young black-browed peasant who had so nearly been a
parricide,--and on the father who publicly exonerated him,--and then
there came a pressing towards the doors which was excessively
dangerous to life and limb. Cardinal Bonpre, greatly moved by the
whole unprecedented scene, placed himself in front of Angela as a
shield and defence from the crowd; but before he had time to
consider how he should best pilot her through the pushing and
scrambling throng, a way was made for him by Manuel, who,--with a
quiet step and unruffled bearing,--walked through the thickest
centre of the crowd, which parted easily on either side of him, as
though commanded to do so by some unheard but absolute authority.
Admiring and wondering glances were turned upon the boy, whose face
shone with such a grave peace and sweetness;--he had saved the
Abbe's life, the people whispered, by springing up the steps of the
pulpit, and throwing himself between the intended victim and the
bullet of his assailant. Who was he? Where did he come from? No one
knew;--he was merely the attendant of that tall ascetic-looking
Cardinal, the uncle of the famous Sovrani.
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