"You are right, no doubt--only go and tell that to your host, for instance, Cardinal Boccanera, who last summer held in his arms an old and deeply-loved friend, Monsignor Gallo, who died after a seizure of a couple of hours." "But apoplexy may kill one in two hours, and aneurism only takes two minutes." "True, but ask the Cardinal what he thought of his friend's prolonged shudders, the leaden hue which overcame his face, the sinking of his eyes, and the expression of terror which made him quite unrecognisable.
The Cardinal is convinced that Monsignor Gallo was poisoned, because he was his dearest confidant, the counsellor to whom he always listened, and whose wise advice was a guarantee of success." Pierre's bewilderment was increasing, and, irritated by the impassibility of Santobono, he addressed him direct.

"It's idiotic, it's awful! Does your reverence also believe in these frightful stories ?" But the priest of Frascati gave no sign.

His thick, passionate lips remained closed while his black glowing eyes never ceased to gaze at Prada.

The latter, moreover, was quoting other instances.

There was the case of Monsignor Nazzarelli, who had been found in bed, shrunken and calcined like carbon.