“But—but, Madame, how can Monsieur the Count know that I am here? I have not seen him.”
“He knows there is a second traveller, and he’s a hospitable man. Monsieur Androvsky, I want you to come; I want you to see the garden.”
“It is very kind of you, Madame.”
The reluctance in his voice was extreme. Yet he did not like to say no. While he hesitated, Domini continued:
“You remember when I asked you to ride?”
“Yes, Madame.”
“That was new to you. Well, it has given you pleasure, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, Madame.”
“So will the garden. I want to put another pleasure into your life.”
She had begun to speak with the light persuasiveness of a woman of the world—wishing to overcome a man’s diffidence or obstinacy, but while she said the words she felt a sudden earnestness rush over her. It went into the voice, and surely smote upon him like a gust of the hot wind that sometimes blows out of the desert.