Marietta wondered whether her servant were going mad, and whether this might not be a judgment of heaven for telling such atrocious lies about poor Zorzi.

In that case it was of course deserved, thought she, watching Nella's contortions; but it was very sudden.
She made up her mind to call the other women, and turned to go to the door.

As she did so her skirt caught a comb that lay on the edge of the table and swept it off, so that it fell upon the pavement with a dry rap.

Instantly Nella sat up straight and rubbed her eyes, looking about for the cause of the sound.

When she saw the comb, the serving-woman's instinct returned, and with it her normal condition of mind.