It was hard and cold, and did not match the words it spoke.
'You have been extremely kind,' said Giovanni Severi.
She had fairly good nerves, and had been in a very small measure prepared for the surprise by having heard him talking in the passage, though in a very different tone; but she started and gasped audibly as she looked up and met his resentful eyes.
'Giovanni!' she cried in amazement.

'Is it you?
Are you alive ?' But she had no doubt about it, in spite of the heavy beard that hid the lower part of his face.
'Oh, yes,' he answered rather coldly.

'Quite alive, thank you.' She held out her hand now, but it was shaking when he took it.

Doctor Pieri looked on in some surprise, but said nothing.

One of the orderlies rang the bell that summoned the supervising nurse.
'Where have you been all these years ?' asked the Princess.