"How you run on, Madame!"
"And you—to tell me to my face that I am not serious! It is unheard of. Is that the way you talk to your compatriots?"
"It would not be true. But they would contradict me, as you do. They wish to be thought gay."
"Do they? I would like to know them."
"Nothing is easier. Will you allow me the honour of undertaking the matter?"
They had reached the door of Madame d'Aragona's hotel. She stood still and looked curiously at Orsino.
"Certainly not," she answered, rather coldly. "It would be asking too much of you—too much of society, and far too much of me. Thanks. Good-bye."
"May I come and see you?" asked Orsino.
He knew very well that he had gone too far, and his voice was correctly contrite.
"I daresay we shall meet somewhere," she answered, entering the hotel.