"I heard the bells," she murmured, equally confused, showing her confusion more than he.
"It is very cold."
"It doesn't matter."
"Of course it doesn't matter," he consented, speaking as if in a dream.
There was a silence between them: a silence full of things.
"Isn't Miss Ford ready yet?" he asked, to break the silence.
"She isn't coming to the Bernina," replied Lilian simply.
"Not coming?" asked Lucio, startled and disturbed.
"She is no longer so young. She suffers from rheumatism, and it is very cold," said Lilian sweetly.