Luiza grew angry in her turn. If they were to come into constant collision on account of her, it was better to dismiss the woman, she said. Did he think, by chance, that she had any love for Juliana? If she kept her, it was because she was an excellent servant. But if they were going to have disputes on her account it was better that she should go. These continual sarcasms were a martyrdom to her.
Jorge did not answer.
Luiza was unable to sleep that night, tormented by the thought that this state of things could not last. She was weary of it now. To put up with Juliana herself, and to listen to hints and innuendoes at every moment on her account from Jorge,—no, this was too much! She began to fear that the bomb was at last about burst. She herself, then, it should be, she determined, who would set fire to the match. She would dismiss Juliana, and let her show Jorge the letters! If she retired to a convent, at least she would be freed from her; she would suffer, she would die; but anything was better than this slow martyrdom, these secret pin-pricks!
“What is the matter?” asked Jorge sleepily, feeling her restless.
“I cannot sleep.”
“Poor child! count a hundred and fifty backwards.”
And he turned over, wrapping the blankets comfortably about him.
On the following morning Jorge rose early. He had an engagement to dine at the Hotel Gibraltar with Alonso the Spaniard, with whom he had business connected with the mines. At ten he went into the dining-room to breakfast. He returned to the bedroom, to tell Luiza with a profound bow, and dwelling on each word, that the table was not yet set, that the teacups that had been used the evening before were still there unwashed, and that the Senhora Donna Juliana, the illustrious Senhora Donna Juliana, had gone to take a little walk!
“I told her last night to go to the shoemaker’s,” began Luiza, who was putting on her wrapper.
“Ah, I beg your pardon,” Jorge interrupted her, very ceremoniously. “I had forgotten that Juliana, your lady and mistress, was in question. I beg your pardon!”