Yet she was not so sure of herself as she seemed, and wished to seem, for she dreaded Bosio's sense of honour, which was not wholly dead.
"Do not deny it to Gregorio," she said, in a low tone, when she heard her husband's footstep returning through the room beyond.
Old Macomer came back and closed the door behind him.
"What is this ?" he asked, at once; but though his voice was hard, it was trembling with the anticipation of a great victory.

"Has Veronica consented ?" "No one has spoken to her," answered Bosio, before Matilde could speak.
"As though that mattered!" cried the countess, with contempt.

"There is time for that!" Gregorio's eyelids contracted with an expression of cunning.
"Oh!" he exclaimed thoughtfully, "I understand." He began to walk up and down in the narrow space between the furniture of the small sitting-room, bending his head between his high shoulders.

"I see," he repeated.

"I understand.