He did not stay. He came out a moment afterwards, and followed the dreary little figure in its grey travelling dress that went slowly up the street, and round to the right. When he had seen her safely enter the garden of the hotel he turned back.
"Poor little girl!" he said. "I wonder where I met her before?"
Aldo entered the hotel half an hour later, and went to Nancy's room, armed with soothing and diplomatic explanations. But Nancy was on her knees by Anne-Marie's bed, with her face buried in the mosquito-netting, and did not move when he entered.
"Why, Nancy, what's the matter?"
"Don't wake her, please," said Nancy.
"But I wanted to tell you——"
"Hush!" said Nancy, with her finger on her lips and her eyes on Anne-Marie.
"Then come to my room. I want to speak to you," said Aldo.
"No," said Nancy.
"Well," said Aldo, "I think I ought to explain——"