Noon
However , he recognised Cardinal Sanguinetti , who , broad and sturdy and red of face , was talking in a loud voice to Baron de Fouras . And Nani , with his obliging air , stepped up again to point out two other Eminences who were high and mighty personages -- the Cardinal Vicar , a short , fat man , with a feverish countenance scorched by ambition , and the Cardinal Secretary , who was robust and bony , fashioned as with a hatchet , suggesting a romantic type of Sicilian bandit , who , to other courses , had preferred the discreet , smiling diplomacy of the Church . A few steps further on , and quite alone , the Grand Penitentiary , silent and seemingly suffering , showed his grey , lean , ascetic profile . Noon had struck . There was a false alert , a burst of emotion , which swept in like a wave from the other halls . But it was merely the ushers opening a passage for the / cortege / . Then , all at once , acclamations arose in the first hall , gathered volume , and drew nearer .