George blazed with vigorous candid delight. "That is the first genuine word which I have had from the heart of Your Eminency!"—He returned to his repellent manner. "I gave the names of my calumniators to Cardinal Leighton."
"Jerry Sant the Liblab, aided by the woman and a clot of worms who had turned;" Leighton said to Ragna.
"Let them be smothered in the dung-hill. Anathema sint." Ragna growled.
Again there was an exposition of silence in the throne-room. George was frozen hard and white. Ragna and Leighton continued to look at each other. Carvale's eyes had the blue brilliance of wet stars. Saviolli, Semphill, Talacryn, Whitehead, were as though they had seen the saxificous head of the Medoysa. Stirling gazed straight before him, in the manner of the sphinx carven of black basalt. George was watching them with half-shut eyes from the illimitable distance of his psychic altitude. Presently, the pure pale old face of Gentilotto and the pure pale young face of Van Kristen simultaneously were lifted; and their eyes met His. He blushed: slowly drew out the pontifical ring: and put it on His finger.
"Lord Cardinals, it is Our will to be alone:" the Supreme Pontiff said.
They came one by one and kissed His ring; and retired in silence.
CHAPTER XXII