It would have been impossible to talk of what had happened without speaking clearly about Matilde, and Veronica did not wish to do that, though Elettra was of her own people and devotedly attached to her.
Elettra had been careful that no one in the household should learn her mistress's intention of leaving the palace.

Veronica intended to go away in a cab, and it would be the question of a moment only to call one.
When all was ready, Elettra went out for that purpose herself, and Veronica went without hesitation to Matilde's room.

When she entered, the countess was alone, propped with pillows on a low couch near the fire.

Her large white hands lay listlessly upon the dark shawl that was drawn over her, and she had thrown a piece of thick black lace over her head.

It was nearly four o'clock, and the light was already waning, so that, as she lay with her back to the window, Veronica could hardly see her face.