"I saw the door of Elettra's room ajar. I pushed it open and looked
in, and I saw that her bed was not disturbed. Then I stood outside the
door of Veronica's dressing-room, and listened. Something moved once,
and I was sure that I heard breathing."
Gregorio watched her gravely while she was speaking, but in the silence
that followed, his small eyes wandered uneasily.
"The girl is lonely," he said at last. "She makes Elettra sleep in the
room next to hers, because she is nervous."
Matilde seemed to be thinking over what she had said. Some time passed
before she answered, and then it was by a vague question.
"Well?"
Again they looked at each other.
"That is certainly bad," said Macomer, thoughtfully. "What are we to do?
Speak to her about it? You can say that you found Elettra's door open,
at this hour."
"It would do no good," answered Matilde. "We could not prevent her from
having her maid there, if she wishes it."
"After all," observed Macomer, absently, "it is only a woman."
"Only a woman?" Matilde's lip curled. "I am only a woman."
Macomer nodded slowly, as though realizing what that meant, but he said
nothing in answer. With his hands under the table he slipped low down in
his chair, his head bent forward upon his breast, in deep thought.
"Can you not suggest anything?" asked Matilde, at last, gazing at him
somewhat scornfully. "After all, this is your fault. You have dragged me
into this ruin with you.
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