"I would give all others for the hop arbor."
"Thy taste is not bad," answered I. "Hania is of the opposite opinion."
"Is that true, Panna Hania?" asked he.
"Yes," said she, in a low voice.
Again I felt that I could not hold out longer in that conversation. Red circles began to flash before my eyes. I sprang up, and running through several chambers to the dining-room, seized a decanter of water standing on the table, and poured the water on my head. Then, without knowing what I did, I dashed the decanter to the floor, where it broke into a thousand bits, and ran to the entrance.
My horse and Selim's were standing before the porch, saddled. I ran to my room for a moment to wipe the water from my face in some fashion; that done, I returned to the hall. In the hall I found the priest and Selim in the greatest terror.
"What has happened?" asked I.
"Hania has grown weak and fainted."
"What? how?" cried I, grasping the priest by the arm.
"Immediately after thy going she burst into loud weeping, and fainted. Pani d'Yves has taken her to her room."