"Now, why on earth didn't I know about that? I thought you were dining with your cousin. We might, of course, have had such a pleasant lunch together!"
"You have had so much to do, I dare say," she said, a little proud at being able to infuse a slight tone of sarcasm into her voice.
"Yes, that's true, in the afternoon, of course. I had to listen to half an opera."
"Oh? How was that, then?"
"There was a young composer with me—a very talented fellow, in his own way."
She was very glad to hear that. So that, then, was the way in which he spent his afternoons.
He stood still and, without letting go her arm, looked into her face.
"Do you know that you have really grown much prettier? Yes, I am quite serious about it! But, tell me, first of all, tell me candidly, how the idea came to you to write to me."
"Why, I have already told you."
"Have you thought of me, then, all this time?"