"I will light the lamp, and turn it very low," said Malipieri.
"I am not afraid of the dark," Sabina answered. "You said that we must not waste our light."
"Shall you really not be nervous?" Malipieri supposed that all women were afraid to be in the dark alone.
"Of course not. Why should I? There are no spiders, and I do not believe in ghosts. Besides, I shall hear you hammering at the wall."
"You had better sit on the body of the Venus. I think the marble is warmer than the bronze. But there is the board—I forgot. Wait a minute."
He was not gone long, and came back bringing the board and his waistcoat. To his surprise, he found her sitting on the ground, propping herself with one hand.
"I felt a little dizzy in the dark," she explained, "so I sat down, for fear of falling."
He glanced at her face, and his own was grave, as he placed the board on the ground, and laid the waistcoat over the curving waist of the Aphrodite, so that she could lean against it. She got up quickly when it was ready and seated herself, drawing up her knees and pulling her skirt closely round her damp shoes to keep her feet warm, if possible. He set the lamp beside her and gave her a little silver box of matches, so that she could get a light if she felt nervous. He looked at her face thoughtfully as he stood with his lantern in his hand, ready to go.
"But you have nothing to put on, if you have to rest again!" she said, rather feebly.
"I will come and rest here, about once an hour," he answered.