Could she trust him?
Would she be revealing things which perhaps these two did not know, and were trying to find out from her?
Involuntarily she glanced at the Undersecretary, and her eyes spoke so plainly that he could not avoid taking a decisive step.
"Signora," he said, with his habitual sarcastic smile, "I see that you do not want rue here.

My presence is not necessary, and I will go, in obedience to your wish; it is a just wish, and one easily explained." Jeanne blushed, and he noticed it, and was pleased at having succeeded in wounding her by the covert allusion contained in his last words, and, above all, in his malicious smile.
"Nevertheless," he added, still smiling in the same way, "I cannot leave without assuring you, on my honour, that my wife is a most loyal friend to you; that she has never uttered an indiscreet word to me concerning you, as I myself have never been guilty of indiscretion when discussing the same subject with my wife." Having thus taken his revenge, the little man departed, leaving Jeanne greatly agitated.

Good God! Did they really intend to oblige her to speak to Piero?
Did they suppose she saw him?
Did these men also believe that Piero's saintliness was a lie?
By an effort she composed herself, seeking help in the Minister's grave, sad, and respectful gaze.
"I will speak to Signor Giovanni" she said.

"But I believe," she added hesitatingly, "that Signor Maironi is ill, and not able to travel." When she uttered Maironi's name flames rushed to her face.

She felt them far hotter than they appeared, but the Minister noticed them, and came to her aid.
"Perhaps, Signora," he said, "you fear to compromise your friends the Selvas.