In her imaginary picture of such places, Mrs.Gallilee's tone and manner realised, in the strangest way, her idea of a matron speaking to a penitent.
As she crossed the hall, her thoughts took a new direction.

Some indefinable distrust of the coming time got possession of her.

An ugly model of the Colosseum, in cork, stood on the hall table.

She looked at it absently.

"I hope Teresa will come soon," she thought--and turned away to the stairs.
She ascended slowly; her head drooping, her mind still preoccupied.
Arrived at the first landing, a sound of footsteps disturbed her.