She stood before him.
"Captain Morando, it was love for an ideal man that really brought me to California."
"Señora, I did not know——" also rising.
"No. You did not know," her lips hardening ever so little. "Yes, an ideal. Him I love with my heart, my soul; every energy I have. Gladly would I live for him. Equally gladly would I die for him."
"Then, señora, there is no room in your life for me? Another fills it? Why, I thought—I believed——"
"You thought! you believed! O, Alfredo!"
"You have never cared for me. You never can care. You——"
"Do not trouble either of us with further questioning. I answer, No, I do not care for you—have never cared for you."
"Señora, even but now I dared think——"
"Dare think nothing!"