She said nothing now in answer to his announcement, but she beckoned to Yulia to bring supper, and the maid disappeared. Being out of temper with him at that moment, she was asking herself how she could possibly be jealous of Giustina Polo; she mentally added that she would no more think of sitting at the window to see her go by, than of looking at her through a keyhole. Also, she wished Zeno would sit where he was for an hour or two, and not utter a word, so that she might show him how utterly indifferent she was to his presence, and that she could be just as silent as he; and women much older than Zoë have felt just as she did then. But Zeno, who was uncomfortable, was also resolved to be cheerful and at his ease. 'It has been a beautiful day,' he observed. 'I hope you had a pleasant morning on the water.' 'Thanks,' Zoë answered, and said no more. This was not encouraging, but Zeno was not easily put off. After a few moments he tried again. 'I fear you do not find my secretary very amusing,' he said. Zoë was on the point of asking him whether he himself considered Omobono a diverting person, but she checked herself with a little snort of indignation which might have passed for a laugh without a smile. Zeno glanced at her profile, raised his eyebrows, and said nothing more till the slave-girls came with the supper. While they brought the small table and set it between the two, he leaned back in his carved chair, crossed one shapely leg over the other, and drummed a noiseless tattoo with the end of his fingers on his knee, the picture of unconcern. Zoë half sat and half lay on her divan, apparently scrutinising the nail of one little finger, pushing it and rubbing it gently with the thumb of the same hand, and then looking at it again as if she expected to observe a change in its appearance after being touched. The maids placed the dishes on the table and poured out wine, and Zoë began to eat in silence, without paying any attention to Zeno. That is one way of showing indifference, and both men and women use it, yet it still remains surprisingly effective. 'What is the matter with you?' Zeno asked, suddenly. Zoë pretended to be surprised and then smiled coldly. 'Oh! you mean, because I am hungry, I suppose. I have been in the open air. It must be that.' She at once took another mouthful, and went on eating. 'No,' answered Zeno, watching her. 'I did not mean that.' She raised her beautiful eyebrows, just as he had raised his a few minutes earlier, but she said nothing and seemed very busy with the fish. Carlo took another piece, swallowed some of it deliberately, and drank a little before he leaned back in his chair and spoke again. 'Something has happened,' he said at last with great conviction. 'Really?' Zoë pretended surprised interest. 'What?' she asked with affected eagerness. 'You understand me perfectly,' he replied with a shade of sternness, for he was growing tired of her mood.