Don Clemente reflected at once that should the rain cease, Signora Dessalle would very probably come to visit the monastery.

He said nothing, but his inward anxiety betrayed itself by a slight shudder, by a glance at the sky which told Benedetto it was time to leave.

He begged the privilege of praying, first in the Church of Santa Scolastica, and then at the Sacro Speco.
The sun disappeared, and it began to rain again.

Master and disciple descended to the church together, and there, kneeling side by side, they lingered in prayer.

That was their only farewell.