Marcello hesitated, and flushed a little, and Aurora seemed to be waiting for him.
"Shall I come, too ?" he asked.
"Just as you please," she answered.

"My mother will think it strange if you don't." Marcello bent his head, and the two followed the others towards the stairs at a little distance.
"Did your mother send word to Folco that you were here ?" asked Marcello quickly, in a low tone.
"Not that I know.

Why ?" "It is no matter.

I wanted to be sure.

Thank you." They went upstairs side by side, not even glancing at each other, much more anxious to seem perfectly indifferent than to realise what they felt now that they had met at last.
Marcello stayed ten minutes in the small sitting-room, talking as well as he could.