"I will stay," he said shortly, and he turned his face from her with a sort of effort. "Is there a doctor here?" he asked, looking towards the group of persons who stood around Gianluca.
"Yes—a good one, whom I have lately brought. Shall I send for him? Do you think he is worse?" She asked the question anxiously.
"No. No doctors can do him any good—but if he should be suddenly worse, after the long journey—"
"Do you think it is likely?" asked Veronica, interrupting him in a tone of increasing anxiety.
He turned to her again, and watched her face, curiously, wondering whether she loved the man, after all.
"I hope not," he answered quietly. "But it was a fatiguing drive, and he hardly slept at all last night. I suppose that the excitement kept him awake. He should rest as soon as possible."
"Very well," said Veronica. "I will take his father and mother away and give them tea. Stay with him and make him lie down and sleep, if possible. Dinner is at half-past seven. Let me know if we are to wait for him."
She went to Gianluca's side and spoke to the Duchessa.
"Shall I show you your rooms?" she asked. "Then we can have tea. Don Gianluca must be tired, and he should have quiet and rest before dinner—or if he prefers it, we will not expect him to-night. Sleep first, and decide afterwards," she added, addressing Gianluca himself, and her tone grew suddenly gentle as she spoke to him.
"You are very wise for your age, my dear child!" answered the Duchessa, in the motherly tone that irritated Veronica.