“Why not, if you please, my young savage?”
“Because a girl like myself is willing to give up her liberty for the sake of one she loves, but she will not serve one she detests.”
“That means simply that we are not friends, my little one,” jeered Hans, with a loud laugh. “As you please; I will not force you to like me.”
Milona gave him a steady look, and shrugged her shoulders, pronouncing a few words in an uncouth tongue. She then left the room.
“What did she say in that Romany tongue of hers?”
“She said, ‘Son of a she-wolf, may you die of a burning fever without any one at hand to give you a glass of water.’”
“Many thanks for her gracious wishes. Some day my stick shall make the acquaintance of your back, charming creature.”
“Do not think of such a thing, Hans, she would repay you with dagger-blows!”
“What delightful relations! But you know well that I am afraid of no one. Now let us speak of something more serious. Have you heard from Cesare?”
“He writes to say that he is back from London, where business matters are progressing well. As you are aware, our English friends are very practical. They have launched a company with a capital of fifty million francs. They will need a whole territory for their money, and they will certainly succeed.”