She had
not felt that she could possibly fall, even if her feet slipped, and
she now knew that he was strong, and that it was good to lean on him.
"You will have to stoop very low for a few steps," he said, taking up
his lantern, and he kept his hold on one of her hands as he led her
on. "It is not far, now," he added encouragingly, "and the rest is
easy."
He guided her past the boards and stones that covered the overflow
shaft, and down the inclined passage and the steps to the space
between the vaults. A third lamp was burning here, close to the hole
beneath which the statue lay. Malipieri lowered his lantern for her to
see it.
She uttered an exclamation of surprise and delight. The pure gold that
covered the bronze was as bright as if it had not lain in the vault
for many centuries, twelve, fourteen, fifteen, no one could tell yet.
The light fell into the huge ruby as into a tiny cup of wine.
"Can one get down?" asked Sabina breathlessly, after a moment's
silence.
"Certainly. I have not gone down myself yet, but it is easy. I wanted
you to be the first to see it all. You will have to sit on the edge
and step upon the wrist of the statue."
Sabina gathered her skirt neatly round her, and with a little help she
seated herself as he directed.
"Are you sure it will not hurt it, to step on it?" she asked, looking
up.
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