They were speaking in a whisper, whilst the servant stood right at the grating, as if mounting guard.
'Is she better?' the feeble voice inside asked.
'Just the same,' replied the servant in a monotonous voice.
'Oh God!' the voice called out in anguish.
Meanwhile the doctor bent down to hear the breathing better. He seemed thoughtful and preoccupied. Margherita looked at him with despairing eyes.
'Did she get a fright, half an hour ago, in here?' he began again to ask, whilst he carefully raised Bianca's head and placed it against his breast.
'No! ... certainly not!' Margherita whispered. 'I was in church. I did not hear what was said; they called to me.'
'Who is that nun?' he asked, pointing to the grating.
'It is Sister Maria degli Angioli—the aunt.'
Then he got up and went to the grating. The serving Sister pursed up her lips to remind him of the cloistral rule, almost as if she wanted to prevent any conversation between him and the nun.