As it happened, Monsignor Fornaro, who was always well informed, desired to be the proclaimer of this news, which nobody as yet had ventured to announce aloud.
"Do you know what is exciting them all ?" he inquired.
"Is it the Holy Father's illness ?" asked Pierre in his anxiety.

"Is he worse this evening ?" The prelate looked at him in astonishment, and then somewhat impatiently replied: "Oh, no, no.

His Holiness is much better, thank Heaven.

A person belonging to the Vatican was telling me just now that he was able to get up this afternoon and receive his intimates as usual." "All the same, people have been alarmed," interrupted Narcisse.

"I must confess that we did not feel easy at the embassy, for a Conclave at the present time would be a great worry for France.