He had caught her terror. His huge eyes looked awestruck.
“Come with me, Gaspare!”
Making an obvious and great effort, she controlled her body, turned and went before him to the house. She walked softly, and he imitated her. They almost crept up-stairs till they reached the landing outside Hermione’s bedroom door. There they stood for two or three minutes, listening.
“Come away, Gaspare!”
Vere had whispered with lips that scarcely moved.
When they were in Hermione’s sitting-room she caught hold of both his hands. She was a mere child now, a child craving for help.
“Oh, Gaspare, what are we to do? Oh—I’m—I’m frightened! I can’t bear it!”
The door of the room was open.
“Shut it!” she said. “Shut it, then we sha’n’t—”
He shut it.