“She avails herself of every pretext to scold,” she continued; “I am in no mind to put up with her any longer; no!” And she stamped her foot furiously on the floor.
“But what has happened?”
“She said her collars were badly ironed, and then she began to talk a string of nonsense. I am tired of it now. I have had enough of it. Let her not provoke me any more! I shall leave the house, but I will tell her the reason to her face. Ever since men have been coming here she has behaved shamefully. When one begins an intrigue—”
“Senhora Juliana, for the love of God!” exclaimed Joanna, putting her hands to her head. “If the mistress should hear you!”
“So much the better! I would say it to her face. I have had enough of it, and more than enough!” But all at once she was seized with a violent attack of faintness. She turned pale as death, and sank into a chair, her hands pressed to her heart, and her eyes turned up so that only the whites were visible.
Joanna shook her, and began to call her in a frightened voice,—
“Senhora Juliana! Juliana! Speak to me!” She sprinkled water on her face. “The Virgin help us! Are you better? Speak!”
Juliana gave a deep sigh of relief, and closed her eyes. She drew her breath slowly and painfully, as though completely exhausted.
“How do you feel? Do you want some broth? It is debility; that must be it.”
“It is the heart,” murmured Juliana.