There was more than the mere desperate determination to save herself, and her husband with her, in what Matilde did after that.

But when they entered the hall, the look was quite gone from her face.

She had been very gentle, all that morning and afternoon.

They had talked a little of the incident that had occurred on the previous day, of Gregorio's feeling about not letting Veronica spend money uselessly.

He was so conscientious, Matilde had said.