The fear that cringed was suddenly replaced by the fear that
rushes forward blindly, intent only on getting rid of uncertainty even
at the cost of death. Soldiers know that fear. It has given men to
bayonet points.
Now it increased rapidly within Hermione. She was devoured by a terror
that was acutely nervous, that gnawed her body as well as her soul.
Gaspare had known Ruffo's mother in Sicily. And Maurice--he had known
Ruffo's mother. He must have known her. But when? How had he got to
know her?
Hermione stood still.
"It must have been when I was in Africa!"
A hundred details of her husband's conduct, from the moment of his
return from the fair till the last kiss he had given her before he
went away down the side of Monte Amato, flashed through her mind. And
each one seemed to burn her mind as a spark, touching flesh, burns the
flesh.
"It was when I was in Africa!"
She went to the window and leaned out into the night over the misty
sea. Her lips moved. She was repeating to herself again and again:
"To-morrow I'll go to Mergellina! To-morrow I'll go to Mergellina!"
CHAPTER XXXV
Hermione did not sleep at all that night.
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