Hermione had a moment of panic. Then she laughed at her folly.
And she thought of Peppina, of that other secret which certainly existed, but which she had never suspected till that day.
The boat was gone, and she knew where. She went back into the house and rang the bell. Giulia came.
“Oh, Giulia,” Hermione said, “will you please ask Peppina to come to my sitting-room. I want to speak to her for a moment.”
“Si, Signora.”
Giulia looked at her Padrona, then added:
“Signora, I am sure I was right. I am sure that girl has the evil eye.”
“Giulia, what nonsense! I have told you often that such ideas are silly. Peppina has no power to do us harm. Poor girl, we ought to pity her.”
Giulia’s fat face was very grave and quite unconvinced.
“Signora, since she is here the island is not the same. The Signorina is not the same, you are not the same, the French Signore is not the same. Even Gaspare is different. One cannot speak with him now. Trouble is with us all, Signora.”