Then he took from the hands of the Abbe the crucifix, and approached the sufferer that he might make her kiss it.
But Angelique was still unconscious: her eyes were closed, her mouth shut, her hands rigid, and looking like the little stiff figures of stone placed upon tombs.

He examined her for a moment, and, seeing by the slight movement of her chest that she was not dead, he placed upon her lips the crucifix.

He waited.

His face preserved the majesty of a minister of penitence, and no signs of emotion were visible when he realised that not even a quivering had passed over the exquisite profile of the young girl, nor in her beautiful hair.

She still lived, however, and that was sufficient for the redemption of her sins.
The Abbe then gave to Monseigneur the vessel of holy water and the asperges brush, and while he held open before him the ritual book, he threw the holy water upon the dying girl, as he read the Latin words, _Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor_.