Nor did Bosio bestow upon her any questioning glance, nor betray his anxiety in any way except by his pallor, which he could not help, of course.

Veronica thought that once or twice his eyes brightened unnaturally, in the course of conversation; and in his manner towards her she might have fancied that there was a shade more than usual of that sort of affectionate deference which all women love, though they love it most in the strong, and it sometimes irritates them a little in the weak, for a passing moment, when their caprice would rather be ruled than flattered.

Bosio made no attempt to be alone with her, and at the end of half an hour both he and his brother departed to their own quarters.
Even then, when she was alone with Veronica, Matilde did not return to the subject which was uppermost and above all important in her mind.
With amazing tact and self-control she talked pleasantly enough, though she managed to place herself with her back to the light, so that Veronica could not see her expression clearly.

At last she rose and said that she must go out.

The weather had improved a little, and she asked Veronica to go with her.