She had determined, if she found the woman in bed, to wake her boldly, to say that she felt ill again and to tell her to go and heat some water.

That would have taken some time.

But Elettra was not there, and the bed, as usual of late, was untouched.
Matilde looked about her hastily, at the same time extracting the package from the wide pocket of her dressing-gown.

The furniture was scant and simple--the bed, a table covered with things belonging to Veronica, beside which lay sewing-materials, two chairs, a shabby chest of drawers, a deal washstand--that was all.

Italian servants are not accustomed to very luxurious quarters.