She had little confidence in the intelligence of these servants.

What was to be done?
Jeanne was about to beg that some one might be sent to inquire, when, at a quarter-past two, hurried steps were heard in the hall, and Giovanni entered, in his great-coat, his hat in his hand.

Jeanne glanced at his face, and understood that the moment was come.

She rose, as white as death.

Silently and immediately Maria and Noemi rose also, Maria watching Jeanne, while Noemi gazed at her brother-in-law, who, confronted by Jeanne's ghostly face, could find no words.