Prince Sovrani gazed bewilderedly at the great throng as the
carriage moved slowly through, and putting his hand to his head
murmured--
"What--what is this! I do not understand--why are these people
here?"
The King pressed his hand.
"All the world honours and loves your daughter, my friend!" he said,
"And Rome, the Mother of Nations, mourns the loss of her youngest
child of genius."
"No--no, not loss!--she is not dead--" began Sovrani stammeringly,--
"I should have told your Majesty--she is grievously wounded--but not
dead . . ."
At that moment the carriage stopped. The door of the Sovrani palace
was open, and in the centre of a group of people that had gathered
within, among whom were Aubrey Leigh, Sylvie Hermenstein, and the
Princesse D'Agramont, stood Cardinal Bonpre and Manuel. Manuel was a
little in advance of the rest, and as the King and Prince Sovrani
alighted, he came fully forward, his eyes shining, and a smile upon
his lips.
"She will recover!" he said, "She is sleeping peacefully,--and all
is well!" His voice rang clear and sweet, and was heard by everyone
on the outskirts of the crowd. The good news ran from mouth to
mouth, till all the people caught it up and responded with one
brief, subdued, but hearty cheer.
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