The harshness was withdrawn from her voice as she spoke now, and in her abrupt gentleness she looked much younger than before. Hermione divined in that moment her vanished beauty. It seemed suddenly to be unveiled by her tenderness.
“I heard you were in trouble.”
“Si, Signora—great trouble.”
Her eyes filled with tears and her mouth worked. As if moved by an uncontrollable impulse, she thrust one hand into her dress, drew out the death-charm, and contemplated it, at the same time muttering some words that Hermione did not understand. Her face became full of hatred. Holding up the charm, and lifting her head, she exclaimed:
“Those who bring trouble shall have trouble!”
While she spoke she looked straight before her, and her voice became harsh again, seemed to proclaim to the world unalterable destiny.
“Yes,” said Hermione, in a low voice.
Maddalena hid the death-charm once more with a movement that was surreptitious.
“Yes,” Hermione said again, gazing into Maddalena’s still beautiful eyes. “And you have trouble!”
Maddalena looked afraid, like an ignorant person whose tragic superstition is proved true by an assailing fact.