In front of Laura was the very face she had seen as a child on such a memorable night, the face she had so often thought about with horror for many years, when no one guessed what Laura was thinking.

This face, comely, even beautiful, at the first moment when Laura saw him, bore the same imprint of melancholy.

But almost instantly, a strange, exaggerated smile of recognition broke out.

There was silence for at least a minute, and she finally spoke – Laura couldn't.