"Gaspare, how dare you interrupt my concert?"
"Signora! Signora!" cried Gaspare, and, springing up, he darted into the sitting-room.
But Maurice, though he lifted himself up quickly, stood where he was with his hand set hard against the wall of the house. He heard Gaspare kiss Hermione's hand. Then he heard her say:
"But, but, Gaspare——"
He took his hand from the wall with an effort. His feet seemed glued to the ground, but at last he was in the room.
"Hermione!" he said.
"Maurice!"
He felt her strong hands, strong and yet soft like all the woman, on his.
"Cento di questi giorni!" she said. "Ah, but it is better than all the birthdays in the world!"
He wanted to kiss her—not to please her, but for himself he wanted to kiss her—but he dared not. He felt that if his lips were to touch hers—she must know. To excuse his avoidance of the natural greeting he looked at Gaspare.