With sudden fright her lips parted. She became snow-white, the color ebbing out from her face under their very eyes. Her little hand was placed almost unconsciously over her heart.
“Me!” she repeated, faintly, “that—that liddle Engleesh child! Excellencies make august mistake. You excuse yourselves, if you please! You—”
Trembling she turned from them and moved towards the exit rear. As they followed her she turned her head, looking back at them over her shoulder, fright in her eyes.
Suddenly she made a quick dash forward and plunged blindly into the dark inner corridor. Her footfalls were so light they scarce could hear them, even with their ears strained, but, hastening to the window, they saw her fleeing up the street.
XV
Hyacinth did not slacken her pace until she was before her home. Then, with trembling fingers, she undid the gate, sped up the little adobe path, and burst breathlessly into the guest-chamber, where Aoi was quietly and pensively arranging blossoms in a vase.
Aoi turned with mild surprise at the girl’s entry, but when she saw her face the mother hastened towards her.