"Then say 'good-bye, Consuelo'—and kiss me once—for what might have been."
Orsino half rose, bent down and kissed her cheek.
"Good-bye, Consuelo," he said, almost whispering the words into her ear. In his heart he did not think she meant it. He still expected that she would call him back.
"It is good-bye, dear—believe it—remember it!" Her voice shook a little now.
"Good-bye, Consuelo," he repeated.
With a loving look that meant no good-bye he drew back and went to the door. He laid his hand on the handle and paused. She did not speak. Then he looked at her again. Her head had fallen back against a cushion and her eyes were half closed. He waited a second and a keen pain shot through him. Perhaps she was in earnest after all. In an instant he had recrossed the room and was on his knees beside her trying to take her hands.
"Consuelo—darling—you do not really mean it! You cannot, you will not—"
He covered her hands with kisses and pressed them to his heart. For a few moments she made no movement, but her eyelids quivered. Then she sprang to her feet, pushing him back violently as he rose with her, and turning her face from him.
"Go—go!" she cried wildly. "Go—let me never see you again—never, never!"
Before he could stop her, she had passed him with a rush like a swallow on the wing and was gone from the room.