“You wish me to do so?”
“I do most earnestly desire it; since I feel perfectly well assured that your future happiness will be sacrificed by so ill-assorted a match.”
He bent over her and kissed her on either cheek as a brother might kiss a sister.
Her face flashed up, and she burst into tears.
“Leave me now, my lord,” she exclaimed suddenly. “Madame my mother will wonder what has become of you. Possibly she may suspect something. Rejoin her, I pray.”
“But you? I cannot consent to part so suddenly from one I hold so dear.”
“Go, my lord; it is not well for you to remain any longer here.”
“But when shall we be able to converse further on this subject? When can I see you again?”
“Offer to take me out for a walk towards evening. This you can easily do.”
“Enough—so be it. I will do so.”