It has been wasted." "I am not sure," answered Macomer, thoughtfully.

"If Bosio marries Veronica, our position will be a very good one, considering the misfortunes through which we have passed.

If he should not, and if Veronica should die, it will be much better.

I am not sure but that, if I had no affection for the girl, I might prefer that she should die." Matilde glanced at him sideways, uneasily.
"We will not speak of that," she said, as though it were a disagreeable subject.
"No." Then, without warning, his jarring, crashing laughter filled the room again for a moment, and she started as she heard it, and looked round nervously.
"I really wish you would not laugh in that way," she said, with a frown.
"There is nothing to laugh at, I assure you." "I did not know that I laughed," said Macomer, indifferently.

"That is the second time in a quarter of an hour.