Upon being asked if they should stay in the room only a short time, and endeavour to have the sick man speak as little as possible, he answered: "Do whatever he wishes.

It is the feast of a condemned man!" He went up the wooden stairs before them.
"Your friends," he said, entering the room.

He allowed them all to come in, and then closed the door.

His hands clasped behind him, he leaned against the doorpost, watching Benedetto, and the tall, dark figure never moved from that spot during all the time that Benedetto kept his followers with him.
Benedetto's face was flushed, his eyes glittered, and his breathing was quick.

He greeted his friends with a "Thank you!" which quivered with happy and intense excitement, and which made some one sob.