"I told you that there can be no absolute certainty without an examination. Do not distress yourself so, my child," he added, touched to the heart by her misery, "after all, it may be a false alarm!" The words seemed to give Ragna strength; though still deadly pale, she rose from her chair, saying: "Come with me now, then; let us have it over at once. Come!" "But, Signorina," he remonstrated, "your people, what will they think?" "I can leave a message for Fru Bjork; I shall say I felt ill, and that you took me home. See! there comes your wife--tell her and she will see the others!" She was already moving towards the Signora, who was crossing the terrace with her little girls, all three greeting Ferrati with smiles of welcome. The children ran to him, and throwing their arms about him, shrieked with joy. "Babbo has come! Babbo has come!" Ferrati embraced them, and put them down; he kissed his wife who was holding Ragna's hand, and said to her, "Virginia cara, the Signorina has a bad headache, and feels faint, so I am taking her home. Tell the others not to be alarmed; it is only that I think the glare here is too much for her, and she ought not to go all the way home alone." "You are pale, dear," said the Signora to Ragna. "Will you not come to my room, and lie down? You will be quite cool and quiet there." "Thank you," said Ragna, "you are very kind, but I think I will go home--I should like to go quite to bed." "Yes," said Ferrati, "I think you had better go home." "Enrico is right," said the Signora, "go, cara, I will explain to the others when they come." Ragna kissed the Signora, and moved off; the bright light dazzled her, she stumbled once or twice, and would have fallen, had not the Doctor been at her elbow. He steered her to the little tram, and at the landing found her a shady place on the vaporetto. Thinking she would be more comfortable by herself, he moved a little distance away, and lit a cigar, being careful, however, to remain within call.