“Yes, but that did n’t make you like me. I don’t understand.”
Bernard stood there a moment, frowning, with his eyes lowered.
“I can imagine that. But I think I can explain.”
“Don’t explain now,” said Angela. “You have said enough; explain some other time.” And she went out on the balcony.
Bernard, of course, in a moment was beside her, and, disregarding her injunction, he began to explain.
“I thought I disliked you—but I have come to the conclusion it was just the contrary. In reality I was in love with you. I had been so from the first time I saw you—when I made that sketch of you at Siena.”
“That in itself needs an explanation. I was not at all nice then—I was very rude, very perverse. I was horrid!”
“Ah, you admit it!” cried Bernard, with a sort of quick elation.
She had been pale, but she suddenly blushed.
“Your own conduct was singular, as I remember it. It was not exactly agreeable.”