"You go to see him voluntarily," she added. "I know it. To-day..."
"Well?"
"That frightens me and makes me anxious. I know you. You torment
yourself; you go there to torment yourself, to rack your heart. I know
you. I am afraid. No, no, you are not resigned; you cannot be
resigned. Do not deceive me, Tullio. This evening, just now, you were
there...."
"How do you know?"
"I know it; I _feel_ it."
My blood froze.
"Do you want my mother to suspect? Do you want her to notice my
aversion?"
We spoke in low tones. She, too, had an absent-minded air. And I
thought: "There is my mother; she is coming, all upset, crying: 'Raymond
is dying!'"
It was Maria and Natalia who entered with Miss Edith. The alcove was
enlivened by their chatter. They spoke of the chapel, of the manger, of
the candles, the bagpipes, giving a thousand details.