"
As usual she was accompanied by the ever-vigilant Fredegonda, who
gave the whole history of her parentage and descent to the inquiring
queen. If the stately Elizabetta had been interested by the appearance
of Jacinta, she was still more pleased when she learnt that she was of
a meritorious though impoverished line, and that her father had
bravely fallen in the service of the crown. "If thy powers equal their
renown," said she, "and thou canst cast forth this evil spirit that
possesses thy sovereign, thy fortunes shall henceforth be my care, and
honors and wealth attend thee."
Impatient to make trial of her skill, she led the way at once to the
apartment of the moody monarch.
Jacinta followed with downcast eyes through files of guards and
crowds of courtiers. They arrived at length at a great chamber hung
with black. The windows were closed to exclude the light of day: a
number of yellow wax tapers in silver sconces diffused a lugubrious
light, and dimly revealed the figures of mutes in mourning dresses,
and courtiers who glided about with noiseless step and woebegone
visage. In the midst of a funeral bed or bier, his hands folded on his
breast, and the tip of his nose just visible, lay extended this
would-be-buried monarch.
The queen entered the chamber in silence, and pointing to a
footstool in an obscure corner, beckoned to Jacinta to sit down and
commence.
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