Nobody paid any attention to his laughter, now, for the household had grown used to it.

It might break out just when a servant was handing him something; the man would merely draw back a step, and wait until the count was quiet again, before offering the dish.
Over their coffee, Matilde read fragments of news from the day's paper, and made comments on what was happening in the world.

Veronica thought her unnaturally talkative and excited, but put it down to the reaction after the poisoning of the previous night.

Matilde drank two cups of coffee instead of one.

Macomer smoked one cigarette after another, and sent for a sweet liqueur, of which he swallowed two glasses.