As he ceased from speaking he got up from his chair, and, followed by the young Frenchman, he passed in front of Artois, went down to the waterside, stepped into a boat, and was rowed away into the gathering shadows of night.
Artois sat very still for a time. Then he, too, got into a boat and was rowed away across the calm water to the island.
He found Hermione sitting alone, without a lamp, on the terrace, meditating, perhaps, beneath the stars. When she saw him she got up quickly, and a strained look of excitement came into her face.
“You have come!”
“Yes. You—are you surprised? Did you wish to be alone?”
“No. Will you have some coffee?”
He shook his head.
“I dined at the Giuseppone. I had it there.”
He glanced round.
“Are you looking for Vere? She is out on the cliff, I suppose. Shall we go to her?”