He should be very sorry, he said, to think that his old friend's daughter meant to cut herself off from the world in which she had so important a part to play.

Of course, he had no longer any actual authority by which to direct her actions.
She was of age, and if she chose to live alone, without so much as an elderly companion, no one could hinder her.

To this Veronica promptly answered that she had come to Bianca's house in order not to be alone.
"And why," inquired the cardinal, watching her face keenly, "have you determined that you will no longer live with your aunt Macomer, who is your only near relative and your natural companion ?" This was the real question, and Veronica had hoped that he would not ask it; but being a good diplomatist, and knowing how hard it would be to answer, the wise prelate had kept it back as a hammer with which to drive the wedges he had previously inserted one by one.
"I had understood that you were always the best of friends," he added, while she was silent for a moment.
"We have not agreed so well lately," said Veronica.

"Besides, you could hardly expect me to be happy in a house where such horrible things have lately happened." "You could live somewhere else, and have your aunt with you," suggested the cardinal.
"You do not understand!" Veronica smiled.

"That would be quite impossible.