“It means that God willing some day I may have peace.”
She had half-turned. She turned again. In a moment she had gone.
Menacingly Barouffski’s eyes followed her. “That’s what five means, does it?”
Then he too turned. Nearby, on the marble chair, were his coat and waistcoat. Slowly, thoughtfully, he put them on. As he did so he noticed the dogs. It may have seemed to him then that they were his only friends. Longly he looked their way.
Suddenly, as though illumination had come, he touched a bell and looked up at Leilah’s window.
After a brief delay, Emmanuel appeared.
“Shut the gate,” Barouffski ordered.
“Perfectly, monsieur le comte,” the footman very deferentially replied and started to do as bidden.
Barouffski checked him. Indicating the lower window, he added: