And then had followed the thought, "Ma--per
questa signora--non e possibile."
At certain crises of feeling, a tiny incident will often determine some
vital act. So it was now. The fleeting glance in a carelessly expressive
boy's eyes at this moment gave to Lady Holme's mind the last touch it
needed to acquire the impetus which would carry it over the edge of the
precipice into the abyss. The look in Paolo's eyes said to her, "Life has
done with you. Throw it away." And she knew that though she had thought
she had already decided to throw it away that night, she had really not
decided. Secretly she had been hesitating. Now there was no more
hesitation in her. She drank her coffee and had the cup taken away, and
ordered the lights in the drawing-room to be put out.
"When I come in I shall go straight up to bed," she said. "Leave me a
candle in the hall."
The lights went out behind the windows. Blank darkness replaced the
yellow gleam that had shone upon them. The two houses on either side of
the piazza were wrapped in silence. Presently there was a soft noise of
feet crossing the pavement. It was Paolo going to lock the door leading
to the boathouse. Lady Holme moved round sharply in her chair to watch
him. He bent down. With a swift turn of his brown wrists he secured the
door and pulled the key out of the lock. She opened her lips to call out
something to him, but when she saw him look at the key doubtfully, then
towards her, she said nothing.
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