"Yes," I replied.
"And yet to-day you ask that I should count the money. How can I do so and trust?"
I took off my kepi, bowed, and said: "Pardon me, I was wrong."
"You will never offend me again?"
"Never. And you, you will forgive?"
"Yes; once, but not a second time."
Again she gave me her hand, again I kissed it, then she put her hands upon my shoulders, and said: "My dear friend, if I did not trust you more than you think, I would not be alone with you here."
She asked me to take a glass of wine, voluntarily put the glass to her lips, and then handed it to me. I deliberately turned it round, so that my lips should touch where hers had touched, and drained it to the bottom, looking the while over it at Giulia. She smiled and looked pleased, and then turned away to get some cigars. I had more sense than to offer money. I took the cigars, and said:
"You are a good comrade, Giulia."