"D'Este asked me this afternoon how long I had known you," he said, at last. "I said that I had spoken with you twice, once at the Princess's, and once to-day. Was that right?"
"Yes. Did he believe you?"
"No."
"He did not believe me either."
"And of course he asked you what there was between us," said Lamberti.
"Yes. I said that I could not tell him. What did you say?"
"The same thing."
There was a pause, and both realised that they were talking as if they had known each other for years, and that they understood each other almost without words. At the end of the walk they turned towards one another, and their eyes met.
"Why did you run away from me?" Lamberti asked.
"I was frightened. I was frightened to-day when you spoke to me. Why did you go to the Forum that morning?"