After standing still three or four minutes longer, she turned away with
a discontented look in her face, all rosy with the wind and spray. She
started as she saw Corbario standing before her, for she had not heard
his footsteps in the gale. He wore his shooting-coat and heavy leathern
gaiters, but he had no gun. She thought he looked pale, and that there
was a shade of anxiety in his usually expressionless face.

"We wondered where you were," he said. "There is coffee in the verandah,
and your mother is out already."

"I came down to look at the storm," Aurora answered. "I forgot all about
breakfast."

They made a few steps in the direction of the cottage. Aurora felt that
Corbario was looking sideways at her as they walked.

"Have you seen Marcello?" he asked presently.

"Did you not meet him?" Aurora was surprised. "It is not five minutes
since he left me."

"No. I did not meet him."

"That is strange."

They went on in silence for a few moments.

"I cannot understand why you did not meet Marcello," Aurora said
suddenly, as if she had thought it over. "Did you come this way?"