As they did so Peppina came down the stairs. When she saw them she murmured a respectful salutation and passed quickly by, averting her wounded cheek. Almost immediately behind her was Vere. The Marchesino looked openly amazed for a moment, then even confused. He stared first at Hermione, then at Vere.
“I am sorry, Madre; I was kept for a moment,” the girl said. “Are you coming up-stairs?”
“The Marchese says he must go, Vere. He is determined not to deprive us of our siesta.”
“One needs to sleep at this hour in the hot weather,” said the Marchesino.
The expression of wonder and confusion was still upon his face, and he spoke slowly.
“Good-bye, Marchese,” Vere said, holding out her hand.
He took it and bowed over it and let it go. The girl turned and ran lightly up-stairs.
Directly she was gone the Marchesino said to Hermione:
“Pardon me, Signora, I—I—”
He hesitated. His self-possession seemed to have deserted him for the moment. He looked at Hermione swiftly, searchingly, then dropped his eyes.