"Yes, yes," she said brokenly, "stay with me. I need you--stay." Count
Giraldi took a step forward.

"Madam," he said, "I salute your ladyship's hand, and shall do myself
the honour to wait upon you upon a less urgent occasion. Don Francis,
your humble servant--to meet again, no doubt."

He bowed himself away, and left me alone with Aurelia.

For some time neither of us spoke. She sat pensive, with signs of
distress--storm signals--still displayed; she was very nervous, looking
at her fingers at play in her lap. I stood up beside her, not knowing,
in truth, what in the world she wanted with me. The silence, as it
became oppressive, made Aurelia angry. She bit her lip.

"Well," she said at last. "Well! have you nothing to say to me, now that
you have found me?"

"Madam," said I, "my fault----"

"Oh," cried she in a rage. "Your fault! Do you not see how hateful your
'fault' makes me appear? Do you think the best way of amending this
wonderful fault of yours is to be for ever bewailing it? Has a gentleman
never loved a lady before, or am I a lady whom no man should love? Do
you suppose I am flattered to learn that you have hunted me all over
Italy only for the pleasure of telling me that you are ashamed of ever
having loved me?"

I said, "I loved you unworthily--I played a knave's part. I distorted