What if she had too effectually forbidden him to see her?
What if he had gone out disappointed of all hope, and was really in distant Scandinavia, as the papers said, risking his life in mad adventures?
But after all, that was not what she feared.

He was strong, young, brave--he had survived a thousand dangers, he would survive these also.
There arose between her and the thought of him an evil shadow, the image of a woman, and it took the shape of Donna Tullia so vividly that she could see the red lips move and almost hear the noisy laugh.

She was angry with herself at the idea, but it recurred continually and gave her pain, and the pain grew to an intolerable fear.

She began to feel that she must know where he was, at any cost, or she could have no peace.

She was restless and nervous, and began to be absent-minded in her conversation with Sister Gabrielle.