"Must you go?"

"It was a poor joke of mine, I know; but- "

"It was. I don't think a count or a baron would have said such a
rotten thing."

Her eyes flashed and she was trembling all over. From being
pretty, she had become beautiful.

"Perhaps not," said I steadily. "But if they had, they would
have meant it, Silvia."

"As you did."

I coiled the flexible cord about a finger, loosed it and thrust
it into my pocket.

"I'll go now," I said, "as I came."

"Like a thief."

"Like a thief. You have been wonderfully kind, and I- I have
spoiled everything. Let's try and forget this evening. For you,
a car passed in the night, the hum of its engine swelling up,
only to fade again into the silence. For me, I lingered to
listen to the words of a song, and when it was done, sped on into
the shadows. I wish you hadn't cut that bell, lass."

"Why?"