Not wishing to leave Veronica even for a moment, she rang the bell.

But no one came.

The woman suspected that the doctor had gone first to Matilde, and she decided in a moment that it was better to leave her mistress alone for two or three minutes than not to have the physician's assistance at once.

She hastened to Matilde's room.
As she passed a half-open door the package of poison in her pocket struck against the door-post and reminded her of its presence, if she needed reminding.
The doctor was bending over Matilde, who seemed very weak.

As Elettra entered, she saw that there was no one else in the room.