midday
But she could not tell the story before Corbario . That would be out of the question ; and yet , anything would be better than to let them all think that something dreadful had happened to Marcello . He had gone to Rome , of course ; or perhaps only to Porto d'Anzio , in which case he would meet Ercole coming back . The hours wore on to midday , and Signora Corbario 's uneasiness grew into real anxiety . The Contessa did her best to soothe her , but was anxious herself , and still Aurora said nothing . Folco was grave , but assured every one that the boy would soon return , though the Signora would not believe it . `` He will never come back !