He saw clearly di Leyni had not dared to repeat the terrible words to her--"I will come and die in your house." It was his lot to deal her the first blow.
"My dear," he said, gently and paternally, "did he not tell you at the Sacro Speco that he would call you to him in a solemn hour?
The hour is come, he calls you." Jeanne started violently.

She did not believe she had heard aright.
"Oh, how is this?
No!" she exclaimed.
Then, as Selva continued silent, with the same pity in his eyes, a flash shot through her heart.

"Ah!" she cried, and her whole being went out in mute and agonized questioning.

Selva pressed her hands still harder, his tightly closed lips twitched, and a suppressed sob wrung his breast.

She said never a word, but would have fallen had not his hands upheld her.
He supported her, and then led her to a seat, "At once ?" she said.