“I rather think Adina knows a good deal more than I. But I also think Adina for all girls don’t reply.”
“He shall come back to me,” said the little woman to herself, “he shall, he shall! A look, a smile, a little frown, and he is at my feet. For I have the elixir, here, in my face, here, in my eyes.”
And away she went to find Nemorino. If she had only looked behind her now. For there he was; and as she fluttered away, he came a few steps forward.
As a clear evidence how fond he was of her in this, that he was sorry he had gone away with Gianetta, perchance the mercenary. Indeed, he thought he had marked a furtive tear or so in Adina’s eyes; and, very softly, he thought to—
“O, Nemorino! what, left the dancing?”
“Yes, I was tired.”
“What, and left Gianetta?”
“Yes; for I was tired of her, too. You see, when a poor youth is loved by all the girls, he need not care for one only. Heigho! they all want to marry.”
“Well, they can’t all marry you; and what do you say?”
“I don’t know.”