I'll be back by
twelve. Be sure you don't start without me. I
had better take the key, Gemma, so as not to wake
anyone by ringing."
She raised her eyes to his face as he took the
keys. She understood that he had invented a pretext
in order to leave her alone with the Gadfly.
"You and I will talk to-morrow," she said.
"We shall have time in the morning, when my
packing is finished."
"Oh, yes! Plenty of time. There are two or
three little things I want to ask you about, Rivarez;
but we can talk them over on our way to the
barrier. You had better send Katie to bed,
Gemma; and be as quiet as you can, both of you.
Good-bye till twelve, then."
He went away with a little nod and smile, banging
the door after him to let the neighbours hear
that Signora Bolla's visitor was gone.
Gemma went out into the kitchen to say good-night
to Katie, and came back with black coffee on a tray.
"Would you like to lie down a bit?" she said.
"You won't have any sleep the rest of the night.
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