She picked up the comb with a quick movement, shook her head and began combing Marietta's hair again before the girl could sit down.
Peace was restored, for she did not speak again, as she helped her mistress to finish dressing; but though Marietta tried to look kindly at her once or twice, Nella quite refused to see it, and did her duty without ever raising her eyes.
It was soon finished, for the pleasure the young girl had taken in making much of the first details of the day that was to be so happy was all gone.

She did not believe her woman, but there was a cloud over everything and she was in haste to get an answer to the question which it would not be easy to ask.

She must know if Zorzi had been to Venice during the night, for until she knew that, all hope of peace was at an end.

Nella had meant no harm, but she had played the fatal little part in which destiny loves to go masking through life's endless play..