When she perceived a group of men leaning against the parapet and looking down into the street below, Hippolyte stopped and exclaimed: &quot;What has happened?&quot;<br />With a slight gesture, betraying fear, she placed her hand involuntarily on George&#39;s arm as if to restrain him.<br />After watching the men a moment George said: &quot;Someone must have leaped from off the terrace.&quot; Then he added: &quot;Shall we turn back?&quot;<br />She hesitated a few moments, wavering between curiosity and fear, and then replied: &quot;No. Let&#39;s see what it is.&quot;<br />They advanced along the parapet as far as the end of the walk.<br />Unconsciously, Hippolyte accelerated her pace towards the small crowd that had gathered.<br />On this March afternoon the Pincio was almost deserted. Occasional sounds died away in the gray and heavy atmosphere.<br />&quot;That&#39;s what it is,&quot; said George. &quot;Someone has killed himself.&quot;