The old harridan stopped in surprise, showing her tooth.
“What has become of Peppina?”
“Maria Santissima!” she ejaculated, moving back a step in the darkness.
She paused. Then she said:
“You know Peppina!”
She came forward again, quite up to him, and peered into his face, seeking there for an ugly truth which till now had been hidden from her.
“What had you to do with Peppina?”
“Nothing. Tell me about her, and—”
He put his hand to the inside pocket of his coat, and showed her the edge of a little case containing paper notes. The woman misunderstood him. He knew that by her face, which for the moment was as a battle-field on which lust fought with a desperate anger of disappointment. Then cunning came to stop the battle.
“You have heard of Peppina, Signore? You have never seen her?”