Lialia looked up in astonishment, and laughed gently.
“You silly boy! Why, indeed! Because … Well, have you never been in love yourself? He’s so good, so honest and upright …”
“So good-looking, and strong,” she would have added, but she only blushed and said nothing.
“Do you know him well?” asked Yourii.
“I ought not to have asked that,” he thought, inwardly vexed, “for, of course she thinks that he is the best man in the whole world.”
“Anatole tells me everything,” replied Lialia timidly, yet triumphantly.
Yourii smiled, and, aware now that there was no going back, retorted, “Are you quite sure?”
“Of course I am; why should I not be?” Lialia’s voice trembled.
“Oh! nothing. I merely asked,” said Yourii, somewhat confused.
Lialia was silent. He could not guess what was passing through her mind.