Then Folco went in and got a little glass bottle of tablets from his wife's travelling-bag and gave her one.

She was subject to headaches and always had the medicine with her.

It was the only remedy she ever carried or needed, and she had such confidence in it that she felt better almost as soon as she had swallowed the tablet her husband gave her.
"Let me stay and read to you," he said.

"Perhaps you would go to sleep." "You are not vain of your reading, my dear," she answered with a smile.
"No, please go with the others." Then the Contessa offered to stay, and the good Signora had to use a good deal of persuasion to make them all understand that she would much rather be left alone.

They mounted and rode away through the trees towards the beach, whence the sound of the small waves, breaking gently under the afternoon breeze, came echoing softly up to the cottage.
The two young people rode in front, in silence; Corbario and the Contessa followed at a little distance.
"How good you are to my wife!" Folco exclaimed presently, as they emerged upon the sand.