CHAPTER XVII: The Clemency Of The Cardinal.
The great man sat in his private closet, with the ivory crucifix in the corner before the prie dieu chair, a wonderful picture of the annunciation on the wall, where he could see it every time he lifted his eyes, and a table piled with papers before him, though piled with a certain method and order which enabled him to lay his hand in a moment upon any required document.
He wore the scarlet robes of his office, and a scarlet skullcap was on his head.

His features were those of the ascetic and man of the world.

The skin was pale and slightly sallow, like old parchment; the hair was turning white, and was thin upon the temples.

The clear-cut features were impressive, both in outline and in expression, and the eye was as the eye of the eagle, so keenly penetrating and far-seeing that many had shrunk before its gaze as before the sharp thrust of a rapier.
Arthur Cole entered the presence of the great man with the habitual courtly and almost exaggerated reverence that custom imposed.

But Anthony Dalaber, who followed, only bowed with a sort of sullen defiance in look and aspect, not even raising his eyes to meet the flashing, rapid glance which the great man bent upon him as he slowly followed his companion into that august presence.