The canons in their red robes assembled near the staircase lighted by the famous "stone of light." His Eminence would come down this way, and the canons grouped themselves, timidly whispering, asking each other what was going to happen.
The cross-bearer appeared on the first step of the staircase, holding his emblem horizontally with both hands so that it should pass under the arch of the doorway.

After, between servitors, and followed by the mulberry-coloured robe of the auxiliary bishop, advanced the cardinal, dressed in his purple, which quenched the reddish-violet of the canons.
The Chapter were drawn up in two rows with bowed heads, offering homage to their prince.

What a glance was Don Sebastian's! The canons, bending, thought they felt it on the nape of their necks with the coldness of steel.

He held his enormous body erect in its flowing purple with a gallant pride, as if at the moment he felt himself entirely cured of the malady which was tearing his entrails, and of the weak heart which oppressed his lungs.

His fat face quivered with delight, and the folds of his double chin spread out over his lace rochet.