And on Don Vigilio following the Cardinal back into the bed-room they in turn pronounced the Latin words: "_Pax huic domui_." "_Et omnibus habitantibus in ea_."* * "Peace unto this house and unto all who dwell in it."-- Trans.
Death was coming so fast and threatening, that all the usual preparations were perforce dispensed with.

Neither the two lighted tapers, nor the little table covered with white cloth had been provided.

And, in the same way, Don Vigilio the assistant, having failed to bring the Holy Water basin and sprinkler, the Cardinal, as officiating priest, could merely make the gesture of blessing the room and the dying man, whilst pronouncing the words of the ritual: "_Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor._"* * "Sprinkle me, Lord, with hyssop, and purify me; wash me, and make me whiter than snow."-- Trans.
Benedetta on seeing the Cardinal appear carrying the Holy Oils, had with a long quiver fallen on her knees at the foot of the bed, whilst, somewhat farther away, Pierre and Victorine likewise knelt, overcome by the dolorous grandeur of the scene.

And the dilated eyes of the Contessina, whose face was pale as snow, never quitted her Dario, whom she no longer recognised, so earthy was his face, its skin tanned and wrinkled like that of an old man.

And it was not for their marriage which he so much desired that their uncle, the all-powerful Prince of the Church, was bringing the Sacrament, but for the supreme rupture, the end of all pride, Death which finishes off the haughtiest races, and sweeps them away, even as the wind sweeps the dust of the roads.
It was needful that there should be no delay, so the Cardinal promptly repeated the Credo in an undertone, "_Credo in unum Deum--_" "_Amen_," responded Don Vigilio, who, after the prayers of the ritual, stammered the Litanies in order that Heaven might take pity on the wretched man who was about to appear before God, if God by a prodigy did not spare him.
Then, without taking time to wash his fingers, the Cardinal opened the case containing the Holy Oils, and limiting himself to one anointment, as is permissible in pressing cases, he deposited a single drop of the oil on Dario's parched mouth which was already withered by death.