She had fixed her eyes upon a point of the carpet and had not moved from her position for a long time.

The folds of her black gown made graceful lines from her knees to her feet, and her imposing figure was thrown into strong relief against the yellow background as she leaned to the corner, one foot just touching the floor.
Bosio sat at a distance from her, on a low chair, his elbows on his knees, staring at the fire.

Neither had spoken for several minutes.
Matilde broke the silence first, her eyes still fixed on the carpet.
"You must marry Veronica," she said slowly; "nothing else can save us." It was clear that the idea was not new to Bosio, for he showed no surprise.

But he turned deliberately and looked at the countess before he answered her.

There were unusual lines in his quiet face--lines of great distress and perplexity.
"It is a crime," he said in a low voice.
Matilda raised her eyes, with an almost imperceptible movement of the shoulders.
"Murder is a crime," she answered simply.