Mr.Troy was the last person living who was likely to attract her sympathies--he was the exact opposite of a commonplace man.
'She looks very ill, poor thing!' In these words the lawyer opened the business of the evening, referring to Mrs.Ferrari as unceremoniously as if she had been out of the room.
'She has suffered a terrible shock,' Agnes answered.
Mr.Troy turned to Mrs.Ferrari, and looked at her again, with the interest due to the victim of a shock.

He drummed absently with his fingers on the table.

At last he spoke to her.
'My good lady, you don't really believe that your husband is dead ?' Mrs.Ferrari put her handkerchief to her eyes.

The word 'dead' was ineffectual to express her feelings.

'Murdered!' she said sternly, behind her handkerchief.
'Why?
And by whom ?' Mr.Troy asked.
Mrs.Ferrari seemed to have some difficulty in answering.