His inquiry about Settimia was in some way connected with what was to come.

He sat down by the table, and drummed upon it absently with his fingers for a moment.

Then he looked up suddenly and met her eyes; his look of troubled preoccupation faded all at once, and he smiled and held out one hand to draw her nearer.
"Forgive me," he said.

"All sorts of things have happened to-day.

I have been annoyed." She came and bent over him, turning his face up to hers with her hands, very gently.