"Follow me!" he said, "We are no longer needed here! Come!--let us
go hence!"
Hardly knowing what he did the old man obeyed, trembling in every
limb as Manuel, grasping him firmly by the hand, led him from the
apartment, and on through the winding corridors of the huge
building, out into the open air. No one questioned them,--no one
interfered with their progress. Benediction was being sung in one of
the many chapels of St. Peter's, and the solemn sound of the organ
reached them, softened and mellowed by distance, as they stood on
the steps of the Vatican, where the Cardinal, pausing to recover
breath and equanimity, gazed at his strange foundling in alarm and
bewilderment.
"Manuel!" he murmured feebly, "Child!--what have you done!"
"Only what I am bound to do!" replied Manuel simply, "I have said no
more than it is right to say, if Christ's words are true! Dear
friend, be at peace! You will not suffer misjudgment long!"
The music stealing out from the distant chapel, floated round them
in large circles of solemn melody,--and the glow of sunset lit the
clear sky with a warm red radiance, flecked with golden clouds of
glory.
"He would not come with me!" said Manuel, with a slight gesture
backward to the sombre portals they had just passed, "And he will
never come! But YOU will!"
And smiling,--with his fair face turned to the radiant sky,--he
rested his hand lightly on the Cardinal's arm as they descended the
broad marble steps, and left the great Palace of the Popes together.
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