CHAPTER II
On their return, somewhat low-spirited, from Montefiascone, Mrs. Aldwinkle and her party found Mary Thriplow alone in the palace.
“And Calamy?” Mrs. Aldwinkle inquired.
“He’s gone into the mountains,” said Miss Thriplow in a serious, matter-of-fact voice.
“Why?”
“He felt like that,” Mary answered. “He wanted to be alone to think. I understand it so well. The prospect of your return filled him almost with terror. He went off two or three days ago.”
“Into the mountains?” echoed Mrs. Aldwinkle. “Is he sleeping in the woods, or in a cave, or something of that kind?”
“He’s taken a room in a peasant’s cottage on the road up to the marble quarries. It’s a lovely place.”
“This sounds most interesting,” said Mr. Cardan. “I must really climb up and have a look at him.”