Just then Vere came in to bid her good-night.
“Good-night, Vere,” Hermione said.
She kissed the girl gently on the forehead, and the touch of the cool skin suddenly made her long to sob, and to say many things. She took her lips away.
“Emile has been here,” she said.
“Monsieur Emile!”
Vere looked round.
“But—”
“He has gone.”
“Gone! But I haven’t seen him!”
Her voice seemed thoroughly surprised.