Gaspare moved, took his hands violently out of his pockets, then thrust them in again.
Artois stood in silence. His face, generally so strong, so authoritative, showed his irresolution, and Vere, looking to him like a frightened child for guidance, felt her terror increase.
“Shall I go up again. I didn’t knock. You told me not to. Shall I go and knock? Or shall Gaspare go again?”
She did not suggest that Artois should go himself. He noticed that, even in this moment of the confusion of his will.
“I think we had better leave her for a time,” he said, at last.
As he spoke he made an effort, and recovered himself.
“We had better do nothing more. What can we do?”
He was looking at Gaspare.
Gaspare went out into the passage and called down the stairs.
“Giulia! Come up! The Signorina is going to dinner.”