She had blood now, for her blood, and in the dark corridor she smiled once.

But no one should disturb Veronica, and she stood there, where any one must pass to go to the girl's room, silent, satisfied, watchful.

She loved her mistress, as she hated all the Macomer, body and soul, alive and dead.

Some foolish women of the household would have roused Veronica, for they came, two together, asking in loud hysterical voices, whether she knew.

But Elettra kept them off, and took the news herself in the morning when Veronica rang for her.
"A terrible thing has happened in the night," she said, when she had opened the windows.
Veronica opened her eyes wide and then rubbed them slowly with her slim, dark fingers and looked again at Elettra.
"It is a very terrible thing," continued the woman, gravely.