To drive away all vestige of fear she spoke to him again; but her heart was thumping uncomfortably, and when she pressed his hand and found it inert and cold, unexplained anxiety again took possession of her. It was almost as bad as her terror during those days when she had been vainly expecting a letter from him.
"Oh, what is it?" she thought. "Has he not forgiven me?"
"Feel!" she said, putting Antonio's hand against her side. The hand became suddenly animated.
"Is your heart still bad?" he asked, as if bethinking himself.
"No! It's beating for joy!" she replied, and talked on very fast. "Yesterday I went to the old painted mill, to eat gnocchi. It was such fun! There was a splendid sunset. What a character that old miller is!"
She told the miller's prophecy, then went on to describe a visit to the Master and his family.
"He's a character too! But he's really quite mad. He wants to send the children to Rome—the boy to make his fortune, the girl to become famous. He says——" and she mimicked the Master's speeches and voice.
Antonio laughed, but his laugh was cold and contemptuous, and seemed far away.
"Oh, what is it?" thought Regina, overwhelmed by unexpected sadness. That scoffing laugh was new in Antonio. He was scornful. Was it of herself?
Fancies! Folly!