CHAPTER XVIII.
At half past eight on the following morning Temistocle found Leonora's maid at the door of her mistress's room with an expression of blank astonishment on her face that made him laugh. He often laughed, quietly, without the least noise.
"You look exactly like a lay figure in a milliner's shop," he remarked. "Except, indeed, that you look much more stupid."
The maid glared at him.
"The signora"—she began, and then trembled and looked round timidly.
"What about her?" inquired Temistocle, pricking up his ears.
The maid let her voice drop to a low whisper.
"She is not there," said she.
"Ebbene," said Temistocle with a grin, "what has happened to you? She is probably gone out—gone to church. A good place for heretics, too."
"Macchè," whispered the woman, "she has not slept in her bed, and everything is upside down in the room."