Then he took the figure tenderly in his hands and laid it in its position.

The small screws turned evenly in the threads, fitting closely into their well-concealed places, and the work was finished.

Marzio placed the whole crucifix upon the bench and sat down to look at it.
It made a strong impression upon him, this thing of his own hands, and again he remained a long time resting his chin upon his folded fingers and gazing up at the drooping lids.

The shadows lay softly on the modelled silver, so softly that the metal itself seemed to tremble and move, and in his reverie Marzio could almost have expected the divine eyes to open and look into his face.

And gradually the shadows deepened more and more, and gathered into gloom till in the dark the black arms of the cross scarcely stood out from the darkness, and in the last lingering twilight he could see only the clear outline of the white head and outstretched hands, that seemed to emit a soft radiance gathered from the brightness of the departed day.
Marzio struck a match and lit his lamp.