Suddenly the thought of Alba presented itself to her mind, of that sweet and pure Alba, of that soul as pure as her name, of her whose dearest friend she was.

Since the dread revelation she had thought several times of the young girl.

But her deep sorrow having absorbed all the power of her soul, she had not been able to feel such friendship for the delicate and pretty child.
At the thought of ejecting her rival, as she had the right to do, that sentiment stirred within her.

A strange pity flooded her soul, which caused her to pause in the centre of the large hall, ornamented with statues and columns, which she was in the act of crossing.

She called the servant just as he was about to put his hand on the knob of the door.