And perhaps he would see the new occupant of the Casa del Mare. Perhaps he would see Peppina.
"I have come, you see," said Artois that evening, as he entered Hermione's room, "to have the first of our quiet, happy evenings, about which you were so doubtful."
She smiled at him from her seat between the big windows.
Outside the door he had, almost with a sudden passion, dismissed the vague doubts and apprehensions that beset him. He came with a definite brightness, a strong intimacy, holding out his hands, intent really on forcing Fate to weave her web in accordance with his will.
"We women are full of little fears, even the bravest of us. Chase mine away, Emile."
"Formless--or almost. But perhaps that adds to the uneasiness they inspire. To put them into words would be impossible."
Her eyes seemed to be asking him questions, to be not quite satisfied, not quite sure of something.
"I wonder if you have it in you to be angry with me."
"I have known you as an impulsive for--how many years? Why should you change?"
He looked at her in silence for a moment. Then he continued:
"Sometimes you remind me--in spots, as it were--of George Sand."
She laughed, not quite without bitterness.
"She described herself once in a book as having 'a great facility' for illusions, a blind benevolence of judgment, a tenderness of heart that was inexhaustible--"
"Wait! From these qualities, she said, came hurry, mistakes innumerable, heroic devotion to objects that were worthless, much weakness, tremendous disappointments."
Hermione said nothing, but sat still looking grave.
"Well? Don't you recognize something of yourself in the catalogue, my friend?"
"Have I a great facility for illusions? Am I capable of heroic devotion to worthless objects?"
Suddenly Artois remembered all he knew and she did not know.
"At least you act hastily often," he said evasively. "And I think you are often so concentrated upon the person who stands, perhaps suffering, immediately before you, that you forget who is on the right, who is on the left."
"Emile, I asked your advice yesterday, and you would not give it me."
"A fair hit!" he said. "And so Peppina is here. How did the servants receive her?"
"I think they were rather surprised. Of course they don't know the truth."