It would be better to be brave and to say at once that he had been angry with her; she could confess the truth to her mother, to the Signora, if necessary, or even to both together, for they were women and would understand.

But she could not tell the story before Corbario.

That would be out of the question; and yet, anything would be better than to let them all think that something dreadful had happened to Marcello.

He had gone to Rome, of course; or perhaps only to Porto d'Anzio, in which case he would meet Ercole coming back.
The hours wore on to midday, and Signora Corbario's uneasiness grew into real anxiety.

The Contessa did her best to soothe her, but was anxious herself, and still Aurora said nothing.