Elena handled them carefully, examined them, and placed them in front of Andrea without remark.

There were enamels, ivories, eighteenth century watches, Milanese goldsmiths' work of the time of Ludovico the Moor, Books of Hours inscribed in gold letters on pale blue vellum.

These precious things seemed to increase in value under the touch of Elena's fingers; her little hands had a faint tremor of eagerness when they came in contact with some specially desirable object.

Andrea watched them intently, and his imagination transformed every movement of her hands into a caress.

'But why did she place each thing upon the table instead of passing it to him ?' He forestalled her next time by holding out his hand.