If Folco and Marcello had stopped at the door of the Contessa's hotel two minutes earlier, or thirty seconds later, than they did, they would not have chanced upon the Contessa and Aurora just coming in from a walk.

But fate brought the four together precisely at that moment.

As the carriage stopped, the two ladies had come from the opposite direction and were on the door-step.
"What a surprise!" exclaimed the Contessa, giving her hand graciously to Folco and then to Marcello.
The latter had got hold of a thread.

Since the Contessa was surprised to see Folco, she could not possibly have already let him know that she was in Pontresina.
"I came as soon as I knew that you were here," said Corbario quickly.
Marcello heard the words, though he was at that moment shaking hands with Aurora, and their eyes had met.

She was perfectly calm and collected, none the worse for her adventure in the morning, and considerably the wiser.
"Will you come in ?" asked the Contessa, leading the way, as if expecting both men to follow.
Corbario went at once.