Luigi lost count of minutes in his irritation at the mystery, which he took as a personal offence.

Some suspicion or wariness existed in the lighted room, for the maestro threw up a window, and inspected the street to right and left.

Apparently satisfied he withdrew his head, and the window was closed.
In a little while Vittoria's voice rose audible out of the stillness, though she restrained its volume.
Its effect upon Luigi was to make him protest to her, whimpering with pathos as if she heard and must be melted: 'Signorina! signorina, most dear! for charity's sake! I am one of you; I am a patriot.

Every man to his trade, but my heart is all with you.' And so on, louder by fits, in a running murmur, like one having his conscience ransacked, from which he was diverted by a side-thought of Irma di Karski, la Lazzeruola, listening, taking poison in at her ears; for Luigi had no hesitation in ascribing her behaviour to jealousy.

'Does not that note drive through your bosom, excellent lady?
I can fancy the tremble going all down your legs.