nearly four o'clock
When all was ready , Elettra went out for that purpose herself , and Veronica went without hesitation to Matilde 's room . When she entered , the countess was alone , propped with pillows on a low couch near the fire . Her large white hands lay listlessly upon the dark shawl that was drawn over her , and she had thrown a piece of thick black lace over her head . It was nearly four o'clock , and the light was already waning , so that , as she lay with her back to the window , Veronica could hardly see her face . She raised her head slowly and wearily as the young girl entered , and then started visibly , as she recognized her . `` It is I , '' said Veronica , when she had closed the door . She came and stood beside the couch on which her aunt lay , and she looked down at the reclining woman .