"And you meant what you wrote?"
"Yes."
He came a little nearer to me, speaking, it seemed, with a certain passionate contempt.
"And you expected me, Elsie, to accept such an answer?"
Before the fire of his glance my eyes fell suddenly. "I have no other answer to give you," I murmured brokenly.
The Marchesa, who had stayed in the room by my own request, glanced questioningly from one to the other, evidently unable to follow the rapid English of the dialogue.
"Is it possible, Elsie, that you have deceived me? That you, who seemed so true, are falser than words can say? Have you forgotten what you said to me, what your eyes said as well as your lips, a few short hours ago?"
"I have not forgotten, but I cannot marry you."
"Then you do not love me, Elsie? you have been amusing yourself."