She looked again round the room. Had that fear increased or diminished? Her eyes fell on Maria Addolorata, then on the Fattura della morte. She did not know why, but she was moved to speak about it.
“You have nice rooms here,” she said.
“Si, Signora.”
Maddalena had rather a harsh voice. She spoke politely, but inexpressively.
“What a curious thing that is on the wall!”
“Signora?”
“It’s a lemon, isn’t it? With nails stuck through it?”
Maddalena’s broad face grew a dusky red.
“That is nothing, Signora!” she said, hastily.
She looked greatly disturbed, suddenly went over to the bed, unhooked the string from the nail, and put the death-charm into her pocket. As she came back she looked at Hermione with defiance in her eyes.