"How? You are accompanied by your brother? I imagined it when I saw you."
Hugo made a gesture of assent. "You told me you wished to avoid a meeting at any price," began he again.
"I. wished it; yes!" interrupted she, firmly, "but it was impossible. We have seen each other already."
"I thought so!" muttered Captain Almbach. "Thence his incomprehensible reserve."
"Why did you not tell me you were guests of the owner of Mirando?" asked Ella, reproachfully. "I believed you to be in S----, and went unsuspectingly to see the villa. Only when too late did I learn who was staying in our immediate neighbourhood."
Hugo scanned her face with a rapid glance, as if he wished to assure himself of her self-possession.
"You spoke to Reinhold?" said he, in extreme anxiety, without noticing her reproach. "Well, then?"
"Well, then?" replied she, with an almost harsh expression, "Do not be afraid! Signor Rinaldo knows now that he must remain at a distance from me and my son. He will acknowledge us at any possible meeting as little as I shall acknowledge him."
"To-day it would certainly be impossible," replied Hugo seriously, "as he is not alone. I fear, Ella, even that will not be spared you."
"You mean a meeting with Signora Biancona?" Ella could not preserve her lips from trembling as she uttered the name, however much she forced herself to appear calm, "Well, if it cannot be avoided, I shall know how to endure it."