It had already stopped running down the passage, when Malipieri
emerged, dripping and holding out the lantern in front of him, as his
feet slipped on the wet stones. Sabina was very pale, but quite quiet.
"What has happened?" she asked mechanically.
"The water has risen suddenly," he said, paler than she, for he knew
the whole danger. "We cannot get out till it goes down."
"How soon will that be?" Sabina asked steadily.
"I do not know."
They looked at each other, and neither spoke for a moment.
"Do you think it may be several hours?" asked Sabina.
"Yes, perhaps several hours."
Something in his tone told her that matters might be worse than that.
"Tell me the truth," she said. "It may be days before the water goes
down. We may die here. Is that what you mean?"
"Unless I can make another way out, that is what may happen. We may
starve here."
"You will find the other way out," Sabina said quietly. "I know you
will."
She would rather have died that moment than have let him think her a
coward; and she was really brave, and was vaguely conscious that she
was, and that she could trust her nerves, as long as her bodily
strength lasted. But it would be very horrible to die of hunger, and
in such a place. It was better not to think of it. He stood before
her, with his lantern, a pale, courageous, strong man, whom she could
not help trusting; he would find that other way.
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