Veronica had sent also a box of books, some linen and silver, and her fencing things--for she still hoped that Bianca would pay her a visit.
The journey by rail occupied between four and five hours, but it did not seem so long to her.

She was surprised at the excitement she felt, as she passed station after station and watched the changing sights and the mountains that loomed up in the foreground, while those behind her dwindled in the distance.

She had travelled very little in her life, since she had come back from Rome.
On the platform of the little station at Eboli, Don Teodoro was waiting for her.

His tall bent figure and enormous nose made him conspicuous at a distance, and she could see the big silver spectacles anxiously searching for her along the row of carriage windows.

As the door was opened for her she waved her handkerchief to the old priest, with a little gesture of happy enthusiasm, high above her head, and he saw her immediately and came forward, three-cornered hat in hand.