The priest smiled.
Girasole now retreated and went down stairs.
Soon all was still.
The Italian woman had been standing where she had stopped ever since she first came into the room. Minnie had not paid any attention to her, but at last she noticed this.
"I wish you wouldn't stand there in that way. You really make me feel quite nervous. And what with the dark, and not having any light, and losing poor dear Kitty, and not having any chair to sit upon, really one's life is scarce worth having. But all this is thrown away, as you can't speak English—and how horrid it is to have no one to talk to."
The woman made no reply, but with a quiet, stealthy step she drew near to Minnie.
"What do you want? You horrid creature, keep away," said Minnie, drawing back in some alarm.
"Minnie dear!" said the woman. "H-s-s-s-h!" she added, in a low whisper.
Minnie started.
"Who are you?" she whispered.