The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

THE MAEEIAGE. 319
The clock lias tolled tlie half-hour after
midnight, and a group was standing before
the altar. It consisted of the Archbishop
of Turin, the Marquis of Pianesse, Ardoine,
and a female attendant. Ardoine' s head
was covered with a veil, which concealed
her tears. She glanced timidly at the cru-
cifix, which stood in front of a magnificent
altar-piece, and at the marble statues sur-
rounding the figure of the Madonna and
Child. She then turned her eyes upwards, as
if imploring mercy from heaven, though she
recoiled with horror on beholding the blas-
phemous representation of God the Father
on the frescoed ceiling. In this trying
hour the calm courage of simplicity and in-
nocence did not desert her; resistance on
her part appeared hopeless ; she must submit
passively, and commit her way to Him
who judgeth righteously. She was not, how-
ever, without consolation ; many passages
of Scripture were graven on her memory,
and she kept repeating to herself the words,