"Already? Why?" She looked up at him and their eyes met.
"Because I cannot be alone with you any longer. I do not trust myself."
"Yes, you do. You are a man now, and I trust you."
He had spoken roughly and harshly in his momentary self-contempt, but her words were clear and quiet, and rang true. He stood still in silence for a moment.
"And besides," she added softly, "she trusts you too."
There was a little emphasis on the word "she" and in her tone that was a reproach, and he looked at her in wonder.
"We cannot talk of her, you and I," she said, turning her eyes to the fire, "but you know what I mean, Marcello. It is not enough to be kind. We women do not think so much of that as you men fancy. You must be true as well."
"I know it," Marcello answered, bending his head a little. "Good-bye, Aurora."
"No. Not good-bye, for you will come again soon, and then again, and often."
"Shall I?"