Then, as he stretched out his arms convulsively, he continued: "It is fire that devours my entrails.No doubt, they have tried to poison me.
But when? but how?"
After another pause, Rodin again cried out, in a stifled voice: "Help!
help me, you that stand looking on--like, spectres!--Help me, I say!"
Horror-struck at this dreadful agony, Samuel and Father Caboccini were unable to stir.
"Help!" repeated Rodin, in a tone of strangulation, "This poison is horrible.--But how--" Then, with a terrific cry of rage, as if a sudden idea had struck him, he exclaimed: "Ha! Faringhea--this morning--the holy water--he knows such subtle poisons.Yes--it is he--he had an interview with Malipieri.The demon!--Oh! it was well played.The Borgias are still the same.Oh! it is all over.I die.They will regret me, the fools!--Oh! hell! hell! The Church knows not its loss--but I burn--
help!"
They came to his assistance.Quick steps were heard upon the stairs, and Dr.Baleinier, followed by the Princess de Saint-Dizier, appeared at the entrance of the Hall of Mourning.The princess had learned vaguely that morning the death of Father d'Aigrigny, and had come to question Rodin upon the subject.When this woman, entering the room, suddenly saw the frightful spectacle that offered itself to her view--when she saw Rodin writhing in horrible agony, and, further on, by the light of the sepulchral lamp, those six corpses--and, amongst them, her own niece, and the two orphans whom she had sent to meet their death--she stood petrified with horror, and her reason was unable to withstand the shock.