Her face was very pale, her lip quivered when she spoke, and there was an unnatural light in her eyes.

There was room for much moderate affection in her gentle nature; she had loved her first husband; she loved Corbario dearly; but the passion of her life was her son, and at the first presentiment of real danger to him the dominant preoccupation of her heart took violent possession of everything else in her, regardless of reason, friendship, consideration for others, or common sense.
Maddalena walked up and down beside her, putting one arm affectionately round her waist, and doing the best she could to allay the tempest.
It subsided suddenly, and was followed by a stony silence that frightened the Contessa.

It was time for luncheon, and Aurora came back, hoping to find that she had been forgiven during her absence, but the Signora only looked at her coldly once or twice and would not speak.
None of the three even pretended to have an appetite.
"I shall not go back to Rome to-day," said the Contessa.

"I cannot leave you in such anxiety." "Folco will take care of me," answered the Signora in a dull tone.

"Do not change your plans on my account.