“Ah, if you only knew!” She had stopped and was looking into the darkness.
“I want to know. Why didn't you answer my letter?”
“Your letter?” She was clutching at the lilies of the valley in her bosom.
He tapped her hand lightly and said, “Well, we'll not quarrel this time, only don't do it again, you know, or else——”
She recovered herself and laughed. Her voice had a silvery ring, and he thought it was an enchanting smile that played upon her face. They resumed their walk.
“And now about to-night. You have had a success, of course.”
“Why of course?”
“Because I always knew you must have.”
She was proud and happy. He began to be grave and severe.
“But the drawing-room after dinner is no proper scene for your talents. The audience is not in the right place or the right mood. Guests and auditors—their duties clash. Besides, to tell you the truth, art is a dark continent to people like these.”