She was quite beside herself, and the Contessa motioned the girl away.

Aurora rose and disappeared round the corner of the house.
Alone with her friend, Maddalena did her best to comfort her.

There were arguments enough: it was barely noon, and Marcello had not been gone four hours; he was used to taking long walks, he had probably gone as far as the tower, and had rested there before coming back; or he had gone to meet Ercole on the road to Porto d'Anzio; or he had gone off towards the Nettuno woods to get over his anger in solitude; it was natural enough; and after all, if he had gone to Rome as Aurora thought, no harm could come to him, for he would go home, and would surely send a telegram before evening.

It was unlike him, yes; but just at his age boys often did foolish things.
"Marcello is not foolish!" objected the Signora indignantly.
She could by no means listen to reason, and was angry because her friend tried to argue with her.

She rose with an energy she seldom displayed, and began to walk up and down the verandah.