"It is nothing," he said. "It is nothing, I assure you."
"What is the matter?" asked Gianluca, in astonishment, for he could not see that the foil had no button.
But Veronica did not answer him. She was close to Taquisara now, clutching his arm with both hands and staring at the wire mask which covered his face.
"You are hurt! I know you are hurt!" she said, in a voice faint with fear.
"Oh no!" he answered, with a short laugh. "I was a little surprised.
Take another foil. It is nothing, I assure you."
"I know you are hurt," she repeated. "Oh God! I might have killed you—"
She felt dizzy, and sick with horror, and she clung to his arm, now, for support.
"Do you mean to say that you had the sharp foil?" asked Gianluca, beginning to understand.
"It is nothing at all," said Taquisara. "It ran through my jacket, just under the arm. It did not touch me."
"It might have run through you," said Gianluca, gravely. "It might have killed you."