“It is no secret. It is only that I love that route. It fascinates me, and I mean some day to make a desert journey along it.”
“What a pity that we cannot join forces,” the Count said. “I should feel it an honour to show the desert to one who has the reverence for it, the understanding of its spell, that you have.”
He spoke earnestly, paused, and then added:
“But I know well what you are thinking.”
“What is that?”
“That you will go to the desert alone. You are right. It is the only way, at any rate the first time. I went like that many years ago.”
She said nothing in assent, and Androvsky got up from the bench.
“I must go, Monsieur.”
“Already! But have you seen the garden?”
“It is wonderful. Good-bye, Monsieur. Thank you.”