It had seemed a century to him.

He entreated the Professor to retire, to take some rest, and once more he fell to watching the celestial lights.

Then he closed his eyes, longing for Jesus, for two human arms which should lift him up, should encircle him; longed for a human breast, incarnate of the Divine, in which to hide his head, as he entered the vast mystery.
At six o'clock he received the Sacraments.

The thermometer had risen a few points.

At nine Benedetto asked for Giovanni Selva, He learned that he had been there, and had gone away again, but that di Leyni was waiting.