For we all are nothing but His
creatures, bound to serve Him, and where we serve Him not there must
be evil worse than death.
"So in all humbleness still awaiting a more reasonable decision at
your hands, I am, Most Holy Father,
"Your faithful servant and brother in Christ,
"Felix Bonpre."
This letter finished, signed and sealed, the Cardinal addressed it
and enclosed it under cover to one of the secretaries at the Vatican
who he knew might be trusted to deliver it personally into the
Supreme Pontiff's own hands. Then stretching out his arms wearily he
closed his eyes for a moment with a sigh of mingled relief and
fatigue. The night was very cold, and though there had been a fire
in the room all day, it had died down in the grate, and there were
only a few little dull embers now glowing at the last bar. The chill
of the air was deepening, and a shiver ran through the spare,
fragile form of the venerable prelate as he rose at last from his
chair and prepared to take his rest. His sleeping room was a very
small one, adjoining that in which he now stood, and as he glanced
at his watch and saw that time had gone on so rapidly that it was
nearly eleven o'clock, he decided that he would only lie down for
two or three hours.
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