Her magnificent picture
shone forth, a living presence in the room, but the thoughts of all
were for the dead only, and the distracted Sovrani saw nothing but
his child's pale, set face, closed eyes, and delicate figure, lying
still with the red stain of blood spreading through the whiteness of
her garments. None of them thought of Manuel--and it was with a
shock of surprise that the Cardinal became aware of him, and saw him
approaching the couch, raising his hand as he came, warningly.
"Hush, hush!" he said, very gently, "It may be that she is not dead!
She will be frightened when she wakes if she sees you weeping!"
Prince Sovrani caught the words.
"When she wakes!" he cried, "Poor boy, you do not know what you say!
She will never wake! She is dead!"
But Manuel was bending closely over the couch, and looking earnestly
into Angela's quiet face. Cardinal Bonpre watched him wonderingly.
And the old Prince stood, arrested as it were in the very midst of
his wrath and sorrow by some force more potent than even the spirit
of vengeance. The sobbing servants held their breath--and all stared
as if fascinated at the young boy, as after a pause, he took
Angela's hand that hung so inertly down, in one of his own, and with
the other felt her heart.
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