"The padrone will—forgive us—when—he—sees how we have—hurried," said Hermione, laughing at her own fatigue. "Go on, Gaspare!"
She stood for a moment leaning against the arch.
"And you go quickly, Lucrezia, and get the supper. The padrone—will be—hungry after his bath."
"Si, signora."
Lucrezia went off to the back of the house. Then Hermione drew a long breath, recovered herself, and walked to the terrace.
Gaspare met her with flaming eyes.
"The padrone is not here, signora. The padrone has not come back!"
He stood and stared at her.
It was not yet very dark. They stood in a sort of soft obscurity in which all objects could be seen, not with sharp clearness, but distinctly.