He did not look at Veronica, when he could avoid doing so.
At last Matilde rose and asked Veronica to allow her to bring her work and sit with her in her room, to which the young girl of course assented.
"By and by, we will have tea there," said Matilde.

"Perhaps you will let your uncle come and have a cup with us--he always drinks tea in the afternoon." "Certainly," answered Veronica, quietly.

"Will you come at four o'clock, Uncle Gregorio?
Or is that too early ?" "Thank you.

I will come at four, my dear," said Gregorio; and Matilde saw that his knees shook as he moved.
In Veronica's room the two women sat through the early part of the afternoon, and still Matilde talked almost continuously.

That was the only outward sign that she was not in her usual state, and Veronica scarcely noticed it, for as the time wore on, she spoke less excitedly, and more often waited for an answer to what she said.