Norman could not conceal a little yawn in his voice even at the moment of making this startling declaration; his eyes were heavy with light and he had walked for many hours. The girl perceived at once.
"Why, you are quite tired!" she said, "and talking fearful nonsense. You must come and find a room at once. Have you been walking long?"
"Four or five hours," said Norman.
"You curious person, to go walking in the night. Where have you come from?"
"From Braxea. I had my supper in the inn last night, and I've been walking ever since."
"What a pace you must have put on! Why, it's ever such a way away. Braxea? Why, it's right over the mountains on the frontier. Those long legs!" she added, pointing to them with a laugh. "No wonder they go far. I have never seen such long legs, except on a grass-hopper. And now you will walk into Alsander. But you have not yet answered my question. Where are you going to stay in our city?"
"I don't know a bit, beautiful girl, as I told you. Perhaps you can find me a place, not far away from you."
"Ah, perhaps I might," said she, "and perhaps I might not. I do not think you would be an agreeable neighbour."
"Ah, why not? Should I trouble and annoy you?"
"You have no idea how to behave, none at all," murmured Peronella.