The meal was as silent and gloomy as usual, and scarcely half a dozen words were said.
Afterwards the three came back to the yellow drawing-room for their coffee.

When the servant was gone, Veronica, stirring the sugar in her cup, turned to her uncle.
"Will you please give me three thousand francs, Uncle Gregorio ?" she asked quietly.

"I want it this afternoon, if you please." Gregorio Macomer grew slowly white to the tips of his ears.

Matilde sipped her coffee, and turned her back to the light.
"Three thousand francs!" repeated Macomer, slowly recovering a little self-control.

"My dear child! What can you want of so much money ?".
"Is it so very much ?" asked Veronica, innocently surprised.