"Why should you care now?"
The question rose to her lips before she knew what she was saying, for what had gone before had disturbed her a little. It had been a very cruel speech, though he had not meant it. He looked at her thoughtfully.
"I am not quite sure why I care," he answered, "but I do."
Neither spoke for some time.
"I suppose you pity me," Sabina observed at last, rather resentfully.
He said nothing.
"You probably felt sorry for me as soon as you saw me," she continued, leaning back in her chair and speaking almost coldly. "I am an object of pity, of course!"
Malipieri laughed a little at the very girlish speech.
"No," he answered. "I had not thought of you in that light. I liked you, the first time I saw you. That is much simpler than pitying."
He laughed again, but it was at himself.