“What has happened?” she sobbed.
Cornélie told her of the previous evening:
“Urania,” she said, seriously, “I know I am a coquette. I thought it pleasant to talk with Gilio; call it flirting, if you like. I never made a secret of it, either to Duco or to you. I looked upon it as an amusement, nothing more. Perhaps I did wrong; I know it annoyed you once before. I promised not to do it again; but it seems to be beyond my control. It’s in my nature; and I shall not attempt to defend myself. I looked upon it as a trifle, as a diversion, as fun. But perhaps it was wrong. Do you forgive me? I have grown so fond of you: it would hurt me if you did not forgive me.”
“Make it up with Gilio and stay on.”
“That’s impossible, my dear girl. Gilio has insulted me, Gilio drew his knife against Duco; and those are two things which I can never forgive him. So it is impossible for us to remain.”
“I shall be so lonely!” she sobbed. “I also am so fond of you, I am fond of you both. Is there no way out of it? Bob is going to-morrow too. I shall be all alone. And I have nothing here, nobody who is fond of me....”
“You have a great deal left, Urania. You have an object in life; you can do any amount of good in your surroundings. You are interested in the castle, which is now your own.”
“It’s all so empty!” she sobbed. “It means nothing to me. I need affection. Who is there that is fond of me? I have tried to love Gilio and I do love him, but he doesn’t care for me. Nobody cares for me.”
“Your poor are devoted to you. You have a noble aim in life.”
“I’m glad of it, but I am too young to live only for an aim. And I have nothing else. Nobody cares for me.”