It was still early in the morning, and all Naples knew that Count Bosio Macomer had committed suicide on the preceding evening.

Every morning newspaper had a paragraph about the shocking tragedy, but few ventured to guess at any reason for the deed.

It was merely stated that Count Bosio's servant had been alarmed by the report of a pistol about nine o'clock in the evening, and on finding the door of his master's room locked had broken in, suspecting some terrible accident.

He had found the count stretched upon the floor, in evening dress, with his own revolver lying beside him.
That was precisely what had happened, but the meagre account gave no idea of the confusion which had ensued upon the discovery.

It contained no mention of Matilde nor of Veronica, and merely observed that the brother of the deceased was overcome with grief.
That would have been too weak an expression to apply to what Matilde suffered during the hours which followed the first appalling blow.