The General manifested no emotion at this imposing mise en scène. A smile of disdain curled his lip, and he stepped boldly forward. At this moment he felt a light touch on the shoulder, and, on turning round, perceived that one of the guides was holding out a mask to him. In spite of the precautions he had taken to disguise his features, he eagerly seized it, placed it on his face, folded his cloak round him, and entered.
"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti!" he said.
"Amen!" all present replied, in a sepulchral tone.
"Exaudiat te Dominus, in die Tribulationis," said one of the personages behind the table.
"Impleat Dominus omnes petitiones tuas," the General replied, without hesitation.
"La Patria!" the first speaker rejoined.
"O la Muerte!" replied the General.
"What is your purpose in coming here?" the man who up to this time alone had spoken, asked.
"I wish to be admitted into the bosom of the elect."
There was a momentary silence.