Her expression did not change. She said levelly, "I'm sorry, too. I did not understand."
"I didn't understand, either."
Both stood silent. Then he spoke in a hurried, even a flurried way in a very low tone indeed.
"But I—I didn't mean to be a quitter. Look here, I didn't realize that it was just the look of things you were after and not my—my——"
"Your money, Signor?" said Ri-Ri clearly.
He grew red. "I've got some queer experiences," he jerked out.
"I should think, Signor, that you would."
"Oh, hang that Signor! I don't blame you for being a frost, Ri-Ri, for I guess I was pretty rotten to you—but I wasn't throwing you down—honestly. I was just mulish, I guess, because you were trying to stampede me. And I was fighting mad over the entire business and had to take it out on somebody. If you'd just laughed and petted a fellow a little——"
He broke off and looked at her hopefully.
Maria Angelina gave no signs of warmth. Her eyes were enigmatic as black diamonds; and her mouth was a red bud of scorn. Her dignity was immense for all that her braids had come down from their coronet and were hanging childishly about her shoulders; the loose strands fluttering about her face.