The well-directed steel at length accomplished the work, and the pride of the Cynegion lay still in the bloody tangle—then the benches found voice.
Amidst the uproar Count Corti went to Nilo.
"Who art thou?" he asked, in admiration.
The King smiled, and signified his inability to hear or speak. Whereupon the Count led him to the Princess.
"Take heart, fair saint," he said. "The lion is dead, and thou art safe."
She scarcely heard him.
He dropped upon his knee.
"The lion is dead, O Princess, and here is the hand which slew him—here thy rescuer."
She looked her gratitude to Nilo—speak she could not.
"And thou, too," the Count continued, to the monk, "must have thanks for him."