As soon as Gemma noticed that her lover was no longer listening, her manner at once changed, and bending quickly towards the Captain, she exclaimed in rapid Italian, which she knew Armytage could not understand—
“Well, did you see Vittorina safely to London?”
Tristram started at the unexpected mention of that name.
“Yes,” he answered, with slight hesitation. “I saw her safely as far as Charing Cross, but was compelled to leave her there, and put her in a cab for Hammersmith.”
“How far is that?”
“About five kilometres,” he replied.
“I have had no telegram from her,” she observed. “She promised to wire to me as soon as she arrived, and I am beginning to feel anxious about her.”
“Worry is useless,” he said calmly. “She is no doubt quite safe with her friends. I gave the cabman the right address. My official business was pressing, or I would have gone out to Hammersmith with her.”
“You remember what I told you on the night we parted in Florence?” she said mysteriously.
He nodded, and his dark face grew a shade paler.