“Now do not be angry, pray,” he resumed appeasingly. “Perhaps [[278]]I did speak rather boldly; but don’t you think yourself that the company here is not suited to you?”
“The acquaintances of my uncle and aunt may be mine as well, I should imagine. In any case, it is a matter which does not concern you in the least.”
“Why do you forbid me to take an interest in you?”
“Because you take advantage.”
“And is there no pardon for that when it is merely caused by a feeling of sincere friendship?” he asked, and held out his hand.
“Oh, certainly,” she answered coldly, apparently without noticing his hand. “But, in future, pray spare me your feelings of friendship. Too much interest in one is sometimes annoying.”
Much hurt she turned away.
He remained alone on the terrace, and he saw her disappear among the circus-riders and the Russian prince, the fair-haired lady, the two drunken gentlemen, and the poetical count.