Something moved once, and I was sure that I heard breathing." Gregorio watched her gravely while she was speaking, but in the silence that followed, his small eyes wandered uneasily.
"The girl is lonely," he said at last.

"She makes Elettra sleep in the room next to hers, because she is nervous." Matilde seemed to be thinking over what she had said.

Some time passed before she answered, and then it was by a vague question.
"Well ?" Again they looked at each other.
"That is certainly bad," said Macomer, thoughtfully.

"What are we to do?
Speak to her about it?
You can say that you found Elettra's door open, at this hour." "It would do no good," answered Matilde.

"We could not prevent her from having her maid there, if she wishes it." "After all," observed Macomer, absently, "it is only a woman." "Only a woman ?" Matilde's lip curled.