"No. I will not do that, either. I do not care to go away. Why should
I, and at such a time?"
"I think I will go alone, in that case," said Giovanni quietly, but watching her face. She made no reply, but looked at him curiously as though she suspected him of laying a trap for her.
"You say nothing. Is silence consent?"
"I think it would be very unwise."
"You do not answer me. Be frank, Corona. Would you not be glad to be left alone for a time?"
"Why do you insist?" she asked with a little impatience. "Are you trying to make me say something that I shall regret?"
"Would you regret it, if it were said? Why not be honest? It would be an immense relief to you if I went away. I could find an excellent excuse and nobody would guess that there was anything wrong."
"For that matter—there is nothing wrong. Of course no one would say anything."
"I know you will think that I have no tact," Giovanni observed with considerable justice.
Corona could not repress a smile at the remark, which expressed most exactly what she herself was thinking.