Gianluca thanked her, smiling too, and the impression any one would have had was that they thoroughly understood each other.

He bowed again and went out.

Veronica turned to come back to the tea-table and found herself facing Taquisara's fiery eyes.

She was surprised, and looked into his face, very near to him, and waiting for him to stand aside.
"You are playing with him," he said in a low and angry voice.
The room was long, and Bianca and Ghisleri were at the other end of it.
After he had spoken, Veronica stared at him a moment, in genuine amazement at his words and manner.

Then her eyes gleamed, too, and the delicate nostrils quivered.
"You are insolent," she said coldly, and turning a little to the right, she passed him.
"No.