He gently touched Vetranio on the shoulder.

'Rise,' said he, 'and let us depart.
Those are around her who can watch her best.

Nothing remains for us but to wait and hope.

With the earliest morning we will return.' He delivered a few farewell directions to one of the women in attendance, and then, accompanied by the senator, who, without speaking again, mechanically rose to follow him, quitted the room.

After this, the silence was only interrupted by the sound of an occasional whisper, and of quick, light footsteps passing backwards and forwards.