"I think you are right," he answered. "I am going to find him," he said softly, bending down to his wife as she lay in her chair, trying to control her sobs. "I will send some of the men towards Porto d'Anzio and will go towards Nettuno myself."
She loved him and believed in him, and she was comforted when she saw him go away and heard him calling the men from their hut.
Aurora was left alone with the two women.
"I am afraid Marcello is gone to Rome," she said, with an effort.
The Signora raised herself in her long chair and stared hard at the girl. The Contessa looked at her in surprise.
"What do you know about it?" cried the Signora. "Why have you not spoken, if you know anything? Don't you see that I am half mad with anxiety?"
Aurora had never seen the good lady in such a state, and was almost frightened; but there was nothing to be done now, except to go on. She told her little story timidly, but truthfully, looking from her mother to the Signora while she spoke, and wondering what would happen when she had finished.
"He said, 'You shall wish me back, but I will not come.' I think those were his last words."
"You have broken my boy's heart!" cried the Signora Corbario, turning her face away.
Maddalena, whose heart had really been broken long ago, could not help smiling.