And amidst all the ruin of hope, it was perhaps the nonfulfilment of that ambition which most made her heart bleed.

She rose for the young priest, her guest, as she rose for the other persons who presented themselves; but she contrived to introduce shades of meaning into the manner in which she quitted her chair, and Pierre fully realised that he had remained in her eyes a mere petty French priest, an insignificant domestic of the Divinity who had not known how to acquire even the title of prelate.

When she had again seated herself after acknowledging his compliment with a slight inclination of the head, he remained for a moment standing, out of politeness.

Not a word, not a sound disturbed the mournful quiescence of the room, for although there were four or five lady visitors seated there they remained motionless and silent as with grief.

Pierre was most struck, however, by the sight of Cardinal Sarno, who was lying back in an arm-chair with his eyes closed.