"And now that we are alone for the last time, shall we not bid each other a loving farewell?"
"How ought we to part?" he replied, looking at her and making a great effort to smile.
"So!" she exclaimed, and she threw her arms round his neck, and covered his face with passionate kisses.
Raimundo stood rigid. He let her kiss him many times, like an inert creature, and then his knees failed, and with a heartrending cry:
"Oh Clementina, this is death!" he fell senseless on the ground.
She was terribly frightened. There was no one to help; no water near. She raised his head, resting it on her lap, fanned him with her hat, and held a scent-bottle she had with her under his nose. He presently opened his eyes, and could soon stand up. He was ashamed of his weakness. Clementina was most affectionate and helpful. As soon as she saw that he was in a state to walk, she took his arm and said:
"Let us go."
And she tried to amuse him by talking of a little dance she meant to give, to which she urgently pressed him to come; he was on no account to fail her.
"And on Saturdays, as usual, you know. You are to be sure not to desert me. In my house you will always be what you have been—my friend; and in my heart, so long as I live, you will fill the dearest place."
Raimundo's only answer was a forced smile.