“Il Re!” he murmured feebly—­“Il Re!”

King Humbert—­for it was he—­held him still more closely.

“Courage, amico!” he said kindly—­“Courage!—­yes—­yes!—­I know—­I have heard the news!  All Italy will give you vengeance for your child!  We will spare no pains to discover her murderer.  But now—­you are ill—­you are weary—­do not try to speak—­come with me!  Let me take you home—­come!”

A great sob broke from the old man’s breast as he yielded to his Sovereign’s imperative yet gentle guidance, and before he could realize the situation, he was in the King’s own carriage, with the King beside him, being rapidly driven back to his own house.  Arrived at the Palazzo Sovrani, a strange sight greeted them.  The great porte-cochere was wide open, and, pressing through it, and surrounding the stately building at every point was a vast crowd,—­ densely packed and almost absolutely silent.  Quite up to the inner portico these waiting thousands pressed,—­though, as they recognised the Royal liveries, they did their best to make immediate way, and a low murmur arose “Evviva il Re!” But there was no loud shouting, and the continued hush was more distinctly recognisable than the murmur.  Prince Sovrani gazed bewilderedly at the great throng as the carriage moved slowly through, and putting his hand to his head murmured—­

“What—­what is this!  I do not understand—­why are these people here?”

The King pressed his hand.

“All the world honours and loves your daughter, my friend!” he said, “And Rome, the Mother of Nations, mourns the loss of her youngest child of genius.”

“No—­no, not loss!—­she is not dead—­” began Sovrani stammeringly,—­ “I should have told your Majesty—­she is grievously wounded—­but not dead . . .”

At that moment the carriage stopped.  The door of the Sovrani palace was open, and in the centre of a group of people that had gathered within, among whom were Aubrey Leigh, Sylvie Hermenstein, and the Princesse D’Agramont, stood Cardinal Bonpre and Manuel.  Manuel was a little in advance of the rest, and as the King and Prince Sovrani alighted, he came fully forward, his eyes shining, and a smile upon his lips.

“She will recover!” he said, “She is sleeping peacefully,—­and all is well!” His voice rang clear and sweet, and was heard by everyone on the outskirts of the crowd.  The good news ran from mouth to mouth, till all the people caught it up and responded with one brief, subdued, but hearty cheer.  Then, without bidding, they began to disperse, and the King, baring his head in the presence of Cardinal Bonpre, gave up his self-imposed charge of old Sovrani, who, faint and feeble, grasped Aubrey Leigh’s quickly proffered arm, and leaned heavily upon it.

“He needs care,” said Humbert gently,—­“The shock has moved him greatly!”

“Your Majesty is ever considerate of the sorrows of others,” said the venerable Felix with emotion, “And God will bless you as He blesses all good men!”