Of the servants who had fled, Matilde's maid was the first to come back when she learned that no one was dead.
As the night wore on towards dawn, and the countess learned that Veronica was alive and not at all likely to die, she silently turned her face to the wall and tore her pocket-handkerchief slowly with her teeth.
In the morning, when the doctor was there, the maid was alone in the room, arranging things as quickly as she could, and hoping that in the confusion of the previous night, her absence might not have been observed.

In the drawer, amongst the handkerchiefs and other things, she came upon the package, looked at it in surprise, turned it round and round, and read the words written on it.

Then, thinking that she had discovered the clue to the attempted wholesale murder, and that she might obtain pardon for her defection, she came to the bedside and held it up to the doctor.

He, too, looked at it, and read the words.
Matilde's heavy eyes opened, and then stared as she recognized the package.

She thought that of course it had been found in Elettra's room, and was sure of the answer, when she put the question to her maid.
"Where did you find it ?" she asked faintly.
"In the drawer, here, Excellency." "In the drawer!" cried Matilde, starting up, and leaning on her elbow, as though electrified.