Judith came in, looking much as she had done on the occasion of my last visit, worn and anxious, with a strange expression in her eyes.
“I am sorry to have kept you waiting,” she said, extending a lifeless hand.
I raised it to my lips.
“I would have gladly waited all day to see you, Judith,” I said.
“Really?”
She laughed in an odd way.
“And idle speech from me to you at the present time would be an outrage,” I answered. “I have passed through much since I saw you last.”
“So have I,” said Judith. “More than you imagine. Well,” she continued as I bowed my head accepting the rebuke, “what have you got so important to tell me?”
“Much,” said I. “In the first place you must be aware of what has happened, for I can’t help seeing there a letter from Pasquale.”
She glanced swiftly at the desk and back again at me.