The mistress—such a misfortune!—had dislocated her foot at the Encarnação. She had been ill, very ill; she was now staying at the Encarnação,—on the ground floor; she was unable to go upstairs. She was with the Senhora Donna Ana Silveira. Such a misfortune! And she was so distressed about it!
“And when did it happen?”
“The day before yesterday, in the evening.”
Sebastião sprang into the carriage and ordered the driver to go with all speed to Luiza’s. So Donna Felicidade was ill, at the Encarnação. Luiza, then, might well go out every day. She went, no doubt, to see her friend, to bear her company, to chat with her. The neighbors to gossip so wickedly, when the poor girl went to see her sick friend! It was two o’clock when the carriage stopped at Luiza’s door. Sebastião met her coming down the steps, dressed in black, with her veil down.
“Ah, come in, Sebastião, come in; won’t you come in?” she said.
“No; many thanks. I came to tell you,—do you not know that Donna Felicidade—”
“What about her?”
“She has dislocated her foot; she is very ill.”
“What do you tell me, Sebastião!”
Sebastião gave her all the details.