MARIO. I was telling Paolo that I could not leave to-morrow; nor for three or four days. It is useless that you two remain here in the heat to wait for me. Paolo must be back in Milan at the beginning of September; every day shortens his vacation. I am old enough to travel alone; as soon as I am free I will join you. What do you say? ANNA. As you wish. MARIO. I also desire to thoroughly clean the house and garden. Your presence would disturb me, and mine is necessary. PAOLO. And as Mario cannot accompany us, we may as well leave this evening. ANNA. So soon? PAOLO. Your luggage is almost finished. MARIO. You will gain a day. At this season of the year it is better to travel by night than by day. It is full moon now and the Gottard road is charming. ANNA [_distractedly_]. Yes. Yes. MARIO [_to Paolo_]. Then you had better go immediately to the stable in the piazza and tell them to hold a carriage in readiness. At what time does the train leave from Poggio? PAOLO. At seven-thirty. MARIO. Tell him to be here at six. I would send Battista to order it, but the engineer has taken him with him. On the other hand, it is better that you see the carriage, they have some antediluvian arks! PAOLO. And why don't you go? He knows you and you know his arsenal--you could choose better. MARIO. You are right. Anna, I will send Maddalena to help you with your luggage? ANNA. Yes, thank you, Mario. Send Maddalena to help me. MARIO [_going off_]. And dinner is at five. PAOLO. Yes. [_Mario exits. Silence. Anna takes a few steps toward the desk. Paolo goes impetuously to Anna and takes her in his arms and kisses her. She breaks away violently._] ANNA. Oh--horrors! [_The words escape from her lips involuntarily._] PAOLO [_drawing back_]. Anna! ANNA. There was one of my letters in that wallet, wasn't there? PAOLO. Yes, there was. ANNA. You have read it? PAOLO. Yes. ANNA. I have killed a man and you embrace me for that? PAOLO. I did not want to. I was tempted not to tell you. Mario advised me not to. Then when I saw you--you filled me with tenderness! But what did you say, Anna? ANNA. Pardon me. And promise me that you will never speak of all this again, either here or hereafter, directly or indirectly--never. PAOLO. I promise. ANNA. You will not keep your promise. PAOLO. Oh! ANNA. You will not keep it. I know you. What a misfortune that you should have known it! I saw it in your eyes when I came in, that you knew. I had hoped that you would always have ignored it. I prayed so. But as soon as I entered I saw immediately. [_With imperceptible accent of mocking pity._] You had a modest and embarrassed air. I know you so well. Do you want to hear how well? When Mario proposed you go for the carriage, I thought--he will not go. When you sent him instead, I smiled. PAOLO. I noticed it, but I did not understand. PAOLO. That's nothing. That you should read me is natural.