Cardinal Sarno was still asleep.

Then Pierre felt as if he would stifle, a kind of vertigo came on him, and his heart beat violently.

So he bowed and withdrew: and on passing through the dining-room on his way to the little study where Cardinal Boccanera received his visitors, he found himself in the presence of Paparelli who was jealously guarding the door.

When the train-bearer had sniffed at the young man, he seemed to realise that he could not refuse him admittance.

Moreover, as this intruder was going away the very next day, defeated and covered with shame, there was nothing to be feared from him.
"You wish to see his Eminence ?" said Paparelli.