Silvio almost laughed at her gravity, but she spoke with a certain dignity of manner which contrasted very charmingly with her fresh, girlish beauty.
"No," he said quietly, "I am not here by accident, Donna Bianca. I am here to see you—to tell you—"
"Ah, yes, I know!" interposed Bianca, hurriedly. "It is very sad, and, believe me, I am very sorry for you—very sorry."
Silvio's bronze face grew suddenly white.
"Sorry!" he exclaimed. "That means you can give me no hope—that you think me presumptuous—"
Bianca glanced at him. "I can give no opinion," she replied; "but I think—" and she paused, hesitatingly.
"Yes?" asked Silvio, eagerly. "What do you think, Donna Bianca?"
"That if I were a man," returned Bianca, slowly, "I would marry whom I chose, no matter how many difficulties stood in my way—that is to say," she added, "if I knew the woman whom I cared for cared for me."
"Ah," exclaimed Silvio, quickly, "but supposing you didn't know?"
"Then I should ask her," said Bianca Acorari, bluntly.