“Yes.”

Then her eyes opened widely and with delight I looked at her and saw that her face grew quickly paler and paler, that it effaced itself, disappearing⁠—only the eyes remained.

I told her everything. Only for some reason, what I don’t know⁠—(no, it is not true, I know the reason) I was silent about one thing: His assertion at the end that they needed me only in order.⁠ ⁠…

Like the image on a photographic plate in a developing fluid, her face gradually reappeared; the cheeks, the white line of teeth, the lips. She stood up and went to the mirror-door of the closet. My mouth was dry again. I poured water but it was revolting to drink it; I put the glass back on the table and asked:

“Did you come to see me because you wanted to inquire⁠ ⁠… ?”