"It was a poor joke of mine, I know; but—"
"It was. I don't think a count or a baron would have said such a rotten thing."
Her eyes flashed and she was trembling all over. From being pretty, she had become beautiful.
"Perhaps not," said I steadily. "But if they had, they would have meant it, Silvia."
"As you did."
I coiled the flexible cord about a finger, loosed it and thrust it into my pocket.
"I'll go now," I said, "as I came."
"Like a thief."
"Like a thief. You have been wonderfully kind, and I—I have spoiled everything. Let's try and forget this evening. For you, a car passed in the night, the hum of its engine swelling up, only to fade again into the silence. For me, I lingered to listen to the words of a song, and when it was done, sped on into the shadows. I wish you hadn't cut that bell, lass."
"Why?"