She seemed to be looking out at the rain, but she had grasped one of the curtains tightly, and it looked as if she were pressing the other hand to her left side.

For a second her head bent forward a little and her graceful shoulders moved nervously, as though she were trying to swallow something hard.

Marcello watched her a moment, and then crossed the room and stood beside her.
"What is it ?" he asked in a low voice, and laying his hand gently on hers that held the curtain.
She drew her own away quietly and turned her head.

Her eyes were dry and bright, but there were deep bistre shadows under them that had not been there before, and the lower lids were swollen.
"It is nothing," she answered, and then laughed nervously.

"I am glad you have made your stepfather go away.