They are not very good this year, you know, and you like them." "Don't be silly!" Marcello immediately reined his horse back to a walk, and looked very dignified.
"It is impossible to please you," observed Aurora, slackening her pace at once.
"It is impossible, if you abuse Folco." "I am sure I did not mean to abuse him," Aurora answered meekly.

"I never abuse anybody." "Women never do, I suppose," retorted Marcello, with a little snort of dissatisfaction.
They were little more than children yet, and for pretty nearly five minutes neither spoke a word, as their horses walked side by side.
"The keeper of the tower has more chickens this year," observed Aurora.
"I can see them running about." This remark was evidently intended as an overture of reconciliation.

It acted like magic upon Marcello, who hated quarrelling, and was moreover much more in love with the girl than he knew.

Instinctively he put out his left hand to take her right.

They always made peace by taking hands.
But Aurora's did not move, and she did not even turn her head towards him.
"Take care!" she said quickly, in a low tone.