She lifted herself up from the railing. And now she knew that her eyes were wet. She wiped them with her handkerchief, drew a deep breath, and went back to the house. She felt for the handle of the door, and, when she found it, opened the door, went in, and shut it rather heavily, then locked it. As she bent down to push home the bolt at the bottom a voice called out:
“Who’s there?”
She was startled and turned quickly.
“Gaspare!”
He stood before her half dressed, with his hair over his eyes, and a revolver in his hand.
“Signora! It is you!”
“Si. What did you think? That it was a robber?”
Gaspare looked at her almost sternly, went to the door, bent down and bolted it, then he said:
“Signora, I heard a noise in the house a few minutes ago. I listened, but I heard nothing more. Still, I thought it best to get up. I had just put on my clothes when again I heard a noise at the door. I myself had locked it for the night. What should I think?”
“I was outside. I came back for something. That was what you heard. Then I went out again.”