Noemi suspected another plot.
"No, no!" she exclaimed, "either you come to the Sacro Speco or--if you do not feel well enough--we will go down to Subiaco at once." Jeanne objected that it would be useless to go down now, for they would not find the carriage; but Noemi was determined not to yield.

They could walk down very slowly, and be ready for the carriage as soon as it arrived.

Jeanne refused again, more emphatically than before, having no other argument to set forth.

Then Noemi looked searchingly into her eyes, silently trying to read her hidden purpose there.

In that moment of silence Jeanne's heart was again assailed by the beggar's words.
Impulsively she seized her friend's arm.
"You wish me to go to the Sacro Speco ?" she said.