"Never is a long time," returned Mademoiselle Durand, smiling. "Supposing—I only say supposing—you met him somewhere, on one of your walks, for instance, and that he spoke to you, would you not try to—well, to give him some good advice—to be kind to him?"
"He probably would not ask me for my advice," replied Bianca, laughing.
Mademoiselle Durand looked at her and hesitated for a moment.
"I think he would," she said, slowly. "You see, Donna Bianca, there is such a close resemblance between your own position and that of the girl with whom the poor boy is so madly in love."
Bianca was silent.
"I wonder," persisted Mademoiselle Durand, "what you would do. It would be very interesting to know."
"You mean—" began Bianca.
"I mean," interrupted Mademoiselle Durand, "if by any chance you happened to meet Monsieur Silvio and he asked you for your advice, as, du reste, he has asked me. You would not run away—no?"
"No," said Bianca, thoughtfully, "I don't think I should run away. I think I should try to help him if I could. I am very sorry for him."
Mademoiselle Durand suddenly sprang up with a little scream.