Then he spoke.
"She is not dead!" he said simply,--"She has only swooned. Let
someone fetch a physician to attend her--see!--she breathes!"
With a wild, half-smothered cry Prince Sovrani sprang forward to see
for himself if this blessed news was true. He and the Cardinal both,
seized with a passionate anxiety, gazed and gazed at the fair
beloved face in hope, in fear and longing,--and still Manuel stood
beside the couch, stroking the small hand he held with thoughtful
care and tenderness. All at once a faint sigh parted the sweet
lips,--the bosom heaved with a struggle for breath. Her father fell
on his knees, overcome, and hiding his face in his hands sobbed
aloud in the intensity of his relief and joy, while the Cardinal
murmured a devout 'Thank God!' A few minutes passed, and still the
fluttering uncertain breathings came and went, and still Manuel
stood by the couch, quietly watchful. Presently the closed eyelids
quivered and lifted,--and the beautiful true eyes shone star-like
out upon the world again! She stirred, and tried to raise herself,
but sank back exhausted in the effort. Then seeing the Cardinal, she
smiled,--and her gaze wandered slowly to the bent, white-haired
figure crouching beside her, whose whole frame was shaken by sobs.
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