In addition, the passage gave access to his Eminence's private chapel, a bare, uncarpeted, chairless room, where there was nothing beyond the painted, wooden altar, and the hard, cold tiles on which to kneel and pray.
On entering, Benedetta hastened to the bed where Dario was lying, still fully dressed.

Near him, in fatherly fashion, stood Cardinal Boccanera, who, amidst his dawning anxiety, retained his proud and lofty bearing--the calmness of a soul beyond reproach.

"Why, what is the matter, Dario _mio_ ?" asked the young woman.
He smiled, eager to reassure her.

One only noticed that he was very pale, with a look as of intoxication on his face.
"Oh! it's nothing, mere giddiness," he replied.

"It's just as if I had drunk too much.