She looked at him, and wished he were dead.

But she was drawn there by the power which brings together two persons menaced by a common danger, in the hope that something may suddenly change, and turn peril into safety.
He sat at one end of the table with his papers, and she took the place opposite to him, the lamp being a little on one side, so that they could see each other.

They were a gloomy couple, in their black clothes, under the green light, with harassed, mask-like faces.
One night, Matilde came in very late.

She trod softly on the polished floor, wearing felt slippers.
"Elettra sleeps in her dressing-room," she said in a low voice.
Macomer looked up, and the twitching of his face began instantly, as though he were going to laugh.

Matilde brought the palm of her hand down sharply upon the bare table, fixing her eyes upon him.
"Stop that!" she cried in a tone of command.