Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.

Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.

It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.

Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.

Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
It was hard to sit still at the dinner table and behave with an appearance of being reasonable, while knowing that the fate of the household depended upon the answer of the young girl--from the personal liberty of two out of the three persons who sat at the meal, to the disposal of the forks and spoons with which they were eating, and the roof over their heads.