Veronica would have to give some little excuse or reason for coming, on his account, even though Bianca was her intimate friend.

Probably Gianluca would be there already, for it was past eleven o'clock, and Bianca would understand that his coming was the result of what Taquisara had said to Veronica on the previous day.

She would not show that she understood, even to Veronica, because she was tactful, but Veronica knew that she was sure to blush, in spite of herself, at the thought that Bianca knew why she had come.

Then, too, in the drawing-room, or the boudoir, it would not be easy to be alone with Gianluca.

She could not get up and go and stare stupidly out of the window at the rain, taking him with her.
She was naturally too obstinate to change her mind, and turn back; yet by the time the brougham drove into Bianca's gate, she really hoped that Gianluca might not come at all.