"I suppose we ought to be going," she said, still looking at him. "Poor old Sassi is waiting in the cellar."
"We have not been all round the vault yet," he answered. "There may be something more."
"No, she has been alone with the monster, all these centuries. I am sure of it. There cannot be anything else."
"We had better look, nevertheless," said Malipieri. "I want you to see everything there is, and you cannot come here again—not in this way."
"Well, let us go round." Sabina moved.
"Besides," continued Malipieri, going slowly forward and lighting the way, "I am going to leave the palace the day after to-morrow."
"Why?" asked Sabina, in surprise.
"Because Volterra has requested me to go. I may have to leave Rome altogether."
"Leave Rome?"
Her own voice sounded harsh to her as she spoke the words. She had been so sure that he was in love with her, she had begun to know that she would soon love him; and he was going away already.