r-chase seem one of the most brilliant and
remarkable events in a brilliant and remarkable world. He had been the
hare. And such a hare! Since hares were first created and placed in the
Garden of Eden there had been none like unto him. He told of his cunning
exploits.

The fingers of Artois moved faster. Hermione glanced at his face.
Its massiveness looked heavy. The large eyes were fixed upon the
table-cloth. His hand just then was more expressive. And as she glanced
at it again something very pitiful awoke in her, something pitiful
for him and for herself. She felt that very often lately she had
misunderstood him--she had been confused about him. But now, in this
moment, she understood him perfectly.

He pulled some more crumb out of his roll.

She was fascinated by his hand. Much as it had written, it had never
written more clearly on paper than it was writing now.

But suddenly she felt as if she could not look at it any more, as if it
was intolerable to look at it. 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.

"We must have two carriages."

"Yes."

"Vere and I will go in one, with Gaspare on the box, and you and the
Marchese can follow in the other."

"Signora," said the Marchesino, drawing on his white gloves, "you still
do not trust us? You are still determined to take the watch-dog? It is
cruel of you. It shows a great want of faith in Emilio