"We have been very happy here," she said quietly.
She slipped away as he rose to his feet, with the sudden conviction that something had happened.
"What is it?" he asked quickly, and making a step after her.
"I am going to dress," she answered.
She turned her head and smiled, but there was a touch of sadness in the look, as if she was saying good-bye. He partly understood, and her expression was reflected in his own face. They had been so happy in the little house in Trastevere.
When the door had closed Marcello went to find Kalmon. He met him at the foot of the stairs.
"The fellow is alive, and will probably recover," said the Professor, in answer to the unasked question in Marcello's eyes.
"It would simplify matters if he died," said Marcello. "Will you walk up to the villa with me and have coffee? We cannot get a cab at this hour on this side of the Tiber."
"Thank you," Kalmon answered, "but I must go home. The house is in charge of the police, and there is nothing more to be done here. They have already taken the woman's body to San Spirito, and they will move Corbario in a few hours. He is badly mauled, but no big arteries are torn. I must go home and write a letter. The Contessa must not hear what has happened through the newspapers."
"No. Certainly not. As for me, I am going to take Regina away at once. I shall bring my own carriage down from the villa."