"No swagger nor bluster.... The matter is quiet simple: Do you love Zinka?" The attaché frowned:
"Yes," he said fiercely.
"Then it is only that you have not the courage to face the annoyances that a marriage with her would involve you in?"
Sempaly was dumb,
"Then, my dear fellow, there is no choice; you must break off the intimacy, as gently but as immediately as possible."
"That I neither can nor will attempt," cried Sempaly, stamping his foot.
"If within three days you have not taken the necessary steps to secure your removal from Rome, I shall feel myself compelled to give Sterzl a hint--or your brother--whichever you prefer." Truyn spoke quite firmly. "And now good-bye."
"Good-bye," said Sempaly without moving, and Truyn went to the door; there he paused and said hesitatingly: "Do not take it amiss, Nicki--I could do no less. Remember that though the right is a bitter morsel, it has a good after-taste."
"Poor child, poor sweet little girl!" Truyn murmured to himself as he descended the grey stone stairs of the Palazzo de Venezia. "Is this a time to be talking of inherited responsibilities and the duties of position--now! Good heavens!" He lighted a cigar and then flung it angrily away. "Good heavens! to have met a girl like Zinka--to have won her love--and to be free!..."
He hurried out into the street, leaving the gate-porter astonished that the count, who was usually so courteous, should have taken no notice of his respectful bow; such a thing had never happened before.