Elettra would, as usual, have brought in the tea-tray with the silver urn, for Veronica always preferred being served by her maid when she had anything in her own room.

It would go hard, if Matilde could not divert Veronica's attention for one moment while she dropped the lumps into the cups, having concealed them in her handkerchief beforehand.

There would be no servant in the room, for Elettra would have gone out.

Gregorio would know beforehand what was to be done and would help to divert Veronica at the right moment.

Arsenic had little or no taste, and Veronica would drink her cup readily like the rest.
She would die before the next morning.