I then realised how stupid and abrupt I had been, and asked her forgiveness.
"You naughty fellow!" she said, pointing to the golden bracelet clasped round her arm.
We decided that I should go to her mother to concert with her and dictate to her the precise terms of a refusal which should cut short all Kiusko's hopes. We were just then emerging from the narrow avenue, and Maud and Edward were joining us again. Our ride came to an end without any other incident of note, except indeed that it appeared to me Daniel was watching Kondjé and myself, as if he wanted to guess what had taken place during our tête-à-tête, which he had observed from a distance. I troubled myself no further about this, but made up my mind to take measures that very day to put an end to this stupid adventure.
About three o'clock I went to Téral House, and in an interview with Kondjé-Gul's mother drew up the precise terms of her answer to my aunt, which consisted of a formula usually employed on similar occasions.
"Mademoiselle Kondjé-Gul feels greatly flattered by the honour which Count Daniel Kiusko has intended to confer upon her, but is unable to accept it." To this we added, in order to convince him it was not one of those half-decisive answers which he might hope to overcome: "She desires to inform their friend confidentially that her heart is no longer free, and that she is engaged to one of her relations." This partly-confidential answer possessed the merits of a candid communication, after receiving which no honourable man could press her without giving offence. Moreover, it established a definite status, under which Kondjé-Gul could shelter herself for the future from all importunate attempts on the part of my rival.
