"For the love of heaven, Signora," she cried, "come with me to the
hospital, if you know him, for he may be dying."
The Baroness promised to go later, and really intended to do so. She
drove to the convent in which Donna Clementina was now a cloistered
nun, and asked the portress whether Donna Sabina Conti had been to see
her sister on the previous day. The portress answered that she had
not, and was quite positive of the fact. The Baroness looked at her
watch and hastened to the Palazzo Conti. When she got there, the
porter had already returned to his lodge, and he led her upstairs and
to the door of the study.
Finding her husband alone, she explained what was the matter, in a few
words and in a low voice. The Princess had come back, and wished to
see Sabina that very morning, and Sabina could not be found. She sank
into a chair, and her sallow face expressed the utmost fright and
perplexity.
"Sassi left our house at five o'clock with Sabina," said the Baron,
"and at a quarter to six he was taken from the door of this palace to
the hospital by Malipieri's man. Either Malipieri or his man must have
seen her."
"She is here!" cried the Baroness in a loud tone, something of the
truth flashing upon her. "I know she is here!"
Volterra's mind worked rapidly at the possibility, as at a problem.
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