And she turned towards the open
window.
"What is it?" Artois asked her. "Is there too much air for you?"
"Oh no. It isn't that. I was only thinking what a quantity of people
pass by, and wondering where they were all going, and what they were
all thinking and hoping. I don't know why they should have come into
my head just then. I suppose it will soon be time for us to start for
the festa."
"Yes. We'll have coffee in my sitting-room--when they are ready." He
looked again at Vere and the Marchesino.
"Have we all finished? I thought we would go and have coffee up-
stairs. What do you say, Vere?"
He spoke cheerfully.
"Yes; do let us."
They all got up. As Hermione and Vere moved towards the door Artois
leaned out of the window for a moment.
"You needn't be afraid. There will be no storm to-night, Emilio!" said
the Marchesino, gayly--almost satirically.
"No--it's quite fine."
Artois drew in. "We ought to have a perfect evening," he added,
quietly.
CHAPTER XXIX
"How are we going to drive to the Carmine?" said Artois to Hermione,
when she had taken her cloak and was ready to go down.
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