Pagina 671 di 1118

The archbishop passed on, and entering the hall, the admirable

pair presented themselves to the eager gaze of the clergy who

were there assembled. They regarded with intense curiosity those

two countenances, on which were depicted different, but equally

profound emotions. The venerable features of Frederick breathed a

grateful and humble joy; in those of the Unknown might be traced

an embarrassment blended with satisfaction, an unusual modesty, a

keen remorse, through which, however, the lingerings of his

severe and savage nature were apparent. More than one of the

spectators thought of that passage of Isaiah, "The wolf also

shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with

the kid." Behind them came Don Abbondio, whom no one noticed.