Page:On papal conclaves (IA a549801700cartuoft).djvu/78

 in the forenoon. The Pope's catafalc has been raised in the Chapel of the Choir, sur- rounded by the noble Guards in their hand- some scarlet uniforms. The body of the Pope is not yet there. Before the catafalc a high mass was read. It was Cardinal Pacca who officiated as sub-dean of the Sacred College. . . . After mass, the Cardinals withdrew to govern the state; their sitting took place in the chapter-hall of St. Peter's. .. . . While the Cardinals were busy governing, the clergy of St. Peter's went to fetch the body of Leo XII. in the chapel where it was exposed; the Miserere being chanted. The corpse lun-ing been borne into the Chapel of the Choir, the Cardinals returned. The corpse was splendidly robed in white; with great state it was placed, in strict conformity to a very intricate ceremonial, within a shroud of purple silk, ornamented with embroidery and gold fringe. In the coffin were laid three bags filled with medals, and a parchment scroll, wherein was the history of the Pope's life. The curtains of the great gate of the chapel were drawn, but some favoured foreigners were clandestinely smuggled into the singers' tribune.' Stendhal adds the