"I do wish it, please."
The young man turned to go towards the boat, but all at once he stopped.
"You will be going away soon now, Wanda. In a few days, will you not?"
The question was put in a strangely agitated tone, and the young Countess's voice too had lost its natural ring, as she answered--
"I must go to my father now; he has done without me so long."
"My mother and Leo are going to Wilicza." Waldemar hesitated between the words, as though something caught his breath. "There is some talk of my joining them. May I?"
"Why do you ask me?" said Wanda, with an embarrassment very unusual to her. "It depends entirely upon yourself whether you visit your own property or not."
The young man did not heed the remark. He bent lower over her. His voice faltered, as it seemed, with deep passionate anxiety.
"But I do ask you, Wanda--you alone! May I come to Wilicza?"
"Yes," fell almost involuntarily from Wanda's lips; but in the same moment she started back, frightened at what she had done, for Waldemar seized her hand impetuously, and held it fast, as though it were his for ever and ever. The young Countess felt how he interpreted her 'yes,' and grew confused and troubled. A thrill of sudden alarm shot through her. Waldemar noticed that she drew back.