Franka’s cheeks glowed: “How you read people’s souls, maestra!”
The other smiled sweetly, and seized Franka’s hand. “So it must come,” said she, “once in every life. But,” she added in another tone, “shan’t we return? Don’t you hear distant thunder?”
In fact a low growling of thunder was heard, repeated two or three times; and the air was sultry. Franka got up.
“Very well, let us go. We shall have time enough to get under shelter. You see, it is the same way with my love ... far and low I seem to hear the premonition of what may prove to be a heart-storm. It has not as yet arrived, but it is coming and it will be welcome: I shall not flee from it, as we are now trying to escape from the threatening shower.”
By this time a few scattering drops were falling. The two women hastened their steps. Suddenly the Italian actress said:—
“Its coming has been noticed.”
“The coming of what? A quarter of an hour ago, the sky was perfectly blue.”
“I am speaking of your love-affair, dearest.”
Franka, surprised, lifted her head. “What do you mean?”
“Well—the handsome German prince.”