In fact, a brilliant soirée succeeded the dinner. The salons and garden were filled with company. The light from the tent extended to the place where we were standing, though we were out of sight. I sat down on a bench against a tree, and Lorenzo took a seat beside me.
“I have a question to ask you,” said I suddenly. “Promise to give me a sincere reply.”
He seemed surprised. He raised his eyebrows slightly, and his smiling face became clouded.
“I do not much like to be questioned, Ginevra, I forewarn you.”
“But you always seem to like to have me answer your questions.”
“Yes, but without depending on it; for I know how to question and obtain an answer without giving you the trouble to reply.”
“And is that why you look at me instead of speaking, and your eyes are always following me so attentively?”
He smiled, and made no reply for a while.
“Perhaps that has been the cause of my doing so till to-day.”
“Till to-day?”