Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/242

231 your office have ever done since Hypatia was slain by Cecil, and the early Christians tore and fought for rivalry in Alexandría, and Rome, and Byzantium!"

The light of the sun had died out, there was only the silvery gleam of a lamp which Giulio Villaflor had brought in in his hand, and set down on the narrow stone table; in the mingled radiance and shadow she stood before the omnipotent churchman, in whose hands her destiny was held, as though she were a feudal monarch who lashed a disobedient vassal with her displeasure and disdain. He stood, doubting his own senses; he, the superb priest, he who aspired to the triple tiara, he the friend of emperors and the ruler of palace consciences, to be arraigned by a revolutionist, by an adventuress, whom his will could consign to the Vicaria, to linger there for life! He was convulsed scarce less with amaze than with wrath; and yet through all something of homage was wrung to the majestic courage which thus defied him.

"Per fede!" cried the prelate, the fury and the amazement in him breaking through the ever-impenetrable masking of his dulcet graciousness. "Per fede! you are bold indeed!" "I leave cowardice to ecclesiastics, who net brave