"Poor old Sassi is waiting in the cellar."
"We have not been all round the vault yet," he answered. "There may be
something more."
"No, she has been alone with the monster, all these centuries. I am
sure of it. There cannot be anything else."
"We had better look, nevertheless," said Malipieri. "I want you to see
everything there is, and you cannot come here again--not in this way."
"Well, let us go round." Sabina moved.
"Besides," continued Malipieri, going slowly forward and lighting the
way, "I am going to leave the palace the day after to-morrow."
"Why?" asked Sabina, in surprise.
"Because Volterra has requested me to go. I may have to leave Rome
altogether."
"Leave Rome?"
Her own voice sounded harsh to her as she spoke the words. She had
been so sure that he was in love with her, she had begun to know that
she would soon love him; and he was going away already.
"Perhaps," he answered, going on. "I am not sure."
"But--" Sabina checked herself and bit her lip.
"What?"
"Nothing. Go on, please. It must be getting late."
There was nothing more in the vault. They went all round the gilt
statue without speaking, came back to the feet of the Aphrodite from
the further side and stopped to look again. Still neither spoke for a
long time. Malipieri held the lights in several positions, trying to
find the best.
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