He stared suspiciously towards the terrace.
“And our dear friend Emilio?”
“No, no. I am quite alone.”
The blind man bawled, as if he wished to drown the sound of speech.
“Please—could you stop him, Marchese?” said Hermione. “I—really—give him this for me.”
She gave the Marchese a lira.
“Signora, it isn’t necessary. Silenzio! Silenzio! P-sh-sh-sh!”
He hissed sharply, almost furiously. The musicians abruptly stopped, and the blind man made a gurgling sound, as if he were swallowing the unfinished portion of his song.
“No; please pay them.”
“It’s too much.”