How odd it would be if I were to laugh unconsciously in that way when--" He seemed to check the words that were coming.
"When, for instance ?" asked Matilde, not guessing what was passing in his mind.
"At the funeral," he answered shortly.

Matilde started again, and looked at him anxiously.

She had resumed her seat after she had hidden the key, but she now rose and went to him.

He was still standing before the window, though he had finished his cigarette and had thrown away the end of it.

She stood before him a moment before she spoke, fixing her eyes severely on his face.
"Control yourself!" she said sternly.