“If you really want to know,” he answered with the more sorrow as he perceived the irony in her words, “it is the sadness of seeing you in misery.”
“What tells you so? I am not in any grief,” replied Andrea, brushing her eyes for the second time with her handkerchief.
Feeling that the gale was rising, the lover thought to lull it with his humility.
“I beg pardon, but I heard you sobbing—— ”
“What, listening? you had better—— ”
“It was chance,” stammered the young man, who found it hard to tell her a lie.
“Chance? I am sorry that chance should help you to overhear my sobs, but I prithee tell me how does my distress concern you?”
“I cannot bear to hear a woman weep,” rejoined Gilbert in a tone sovereignly displeasing the patrician.
“Am I but a woman to you, Master Gilbert?” replied the haughty girl. “I do not crave the sympathy of any one, and least of all of Master Gilbert.”
“You are wrong to treat me to rudely,” persisted the ex-dependent of the Taverneys, “I saw you sad in affliction. I heard you say that you would be all alone in the world by the departure of Master Philip. But no, my young lady, for I am by you, and never did a heart beat more devoted to you. I repeat that never will you be alone while my brain can think, my heart throb, or my arm be stretched out.”