I had a sight of its sphinx-like face and round, impassive eyes ere it circled to melt again into the darkness, startled by any sudden movement.

I closed the window and left the room.
Very softly I crept down the passage towards my chamber, leaving the light burning in the library, for it was not my habit to extinguish it, and I gave no thought to the lateness of the hour.
Midway down the passage I halted.

I was level with Giuliana's door, and from under it there came a slender blade of light.

But it was not this that checked me.

She was singing, Such a pitiful little heartbroken song it was: "Amor mi muojo; mi muojo amore mio!" ran its last line.
I leaned against the wall, and a sob broke from me.