Gaspare looked surprised, hesitating, then moved. He took the out-stretched hand, grasped it violently, and went away.
Artois shut the sitting-room door and went towards Hermione.
“You are staying?” she said.
By her intonation he could not tell whether she was glad or almost angrily astonished.
“They may come here immediately,” he said. “I wish to see Panacci—when he comes.”
She looked at him quickly.
“It must be an accident,” she said. “I can’t—I won’t believe that—no one could hurt Vere.”
He said nothing.
“No one could hurt Vere,” she repeated.
He went out on to the balcony and stood there for two or three minutes, looking down at the sea and at the empty road. She did not follow him, but sat down upon the sofa near the writing-table. Presently he turned round.