The woman attentively watched the changing light and shadow---- But suddenly--oh, horror!--she started up.
It seemed to her as if the marble step upon which she was sitting had been some sleeping animal, which, suddenly awaking, moved slightly, then rose--and turned itself--violently--from left to right.
Thunder, lightning, and wind ceased all at once.
There! from the granaries sounded a shrill scream. The light flamed up brightly, and then disappeared.
But the woman in the street also uttered a low cry of fear, for now she could no longer doubt--the earth quaked under her.
A slight movement; then two, three strong shocks, as if the ground had heaved from left to right like a wave.
Screams of fear rose from the city.
The people rushed out of the doors of the Basilica.
Another shock!
The woman kept her feet with difficulty.