"You fear for the State, for the Monarchy, for liberty, you fear the socialists and the anarchists, but you should be far more afraid of your colleagues, who scoff at God! for socialism and anarchism are merely fevers, while scoffing is even as gangrene! As for you," he added, turning to the Under-Secretary, "you deride One who is silent.
Fear His silence!" Before either of the two potentates could speak a word, or move, Benedetto had left the room.
* * * * * He descended the great stairway, all quivering with the reflex action of the words which had burst from his heart, and with the feverish fire in his blood.

His legs shook and bent under him.

He was once or twice obliged to seize the banisters and stop.

On reaching the last column, he leaned his throbbing forehead against it, seeking its coolness.

But immediately he drew away, with a feeling of repugnance for the very stones of this palace, as if they were infected by treason, were accomplices of the atrociously vile bargain which had been struck there between ministers of Christ and ministers of the State.