“And Vere?” he said, looking directly at her.
“I have not told Vere anything about Peppina’s past,” Hermione said, rather hastily. “I do not intend to. I explained that Peppina had had a sad life and had been attacked by a man who had fallen in love with her, and for whom she didn’t care.”
“And Vere was all sympathy and pity?” said Artois, gently.
“She didn’t seem much interested, I thought. She scarcely seemed to be listening. I don’t believe she has seen Peppina yet. When we arrived she was shut up in her room.”
As she spoke she was looking at him, and she saw a slight change come over his face.
“Do you think—” she began, and paused. “I wonder if she was reading,” she added, slowly, after a moment.
“Even the children have their secrets,” he answered. As he spoke he turned his head and looked out of the window towards Ischia. “How clear it is to-night! There will be no storm.”
“No. We can dine outside. I have told them.” Her voice sounded slightly constrained. “I will go and call Vere,” she added.
“She is in the house?”
“I think so.”