For a while not a sound came from the deserted street or the old empty mansion, mute and dreamy like a tomb.

But all at once the soft somnolence, instinct with all the sweetness of a dream of hope, was disturbed by a tempestuous entry, a whirl of skirts, a gasp of terror.

It was Victorine, who had gone off after bringing the lamp, but now returned, scared and breathless: "Contessina! Contessina!" Benedetta had risen, suddenly quite white and cold, as at the advent of a blast of misfortune.

"What, what is it?
Why do you run and tremble ?" she asked.
"Dario, Monsieur Dario--down below.

I went down to see if the lantern in the porch were alight, as it is so often forgotten.