Don Vigilio was still bowing to each fresh visitor that arrived.

A severe attack of fever had come on him during the night, and he was shivering from it, with his face very yellow, and his eyes ablaze and haggard.

He constantly glanced at Pierre, as if anxious to speak to him, but his dread lest he should be seen by Abbe Paparelli, who stood in the next ante-room, the door of which was wide open, doubtless restrained him, for he did not cease to watch the train-bearer.

At last the latter was compelled to absent himself for a moment, and the secretary thereupon approached the young Frenchman.
"You saw his Holiness last night," he said; and as Pierre gazed at him in stupefaction he added: "Oh! everything gets known, I told you so before.
Well, and you purely and simply withdrew your book, did you not ?" The young priest's increasing stupor was sufficient answer, and without leaving him time to reply, Don Vigilio went on: "I suspected it, but I wished to make certain.

Ah! that's just the way they work! Do you believe me now, have you realised that they stifle those whom they don't poison ?" He was no doubt referring to the Jesuits.