“The senhora has not been very well,” answered Joanna.
“The weather,” returned Juliana, taking up her work.
They spent the rest of the evening in silence.
At ten o’clock Luiza heard a light knock at her door. It was she, without doubt.
“Come in,” she answered.
“The tea is on the table,” said Juliana, in her usual tone of voice.
Luiza waited awhile after Juliana had gone, hesitating to go into the parlor, through fear of encountering her. Then she rose, took a few steps, stopped, and at last entered the room, trembling.
Juliana was in the dining-room. She drew back against the wall, and said in a respectful tone,—
“Do you want me to bring the lamp, Senhora?”
Luiza nodded affirmatively, without looking at her. When she returned to her room, Juliana was filling the water-pitcher on the wash-stand. After arranging the bed and closing the doors, she said quietly,—