Alpha Book

"Not for all the world!" she exclaimed, in a tone that was new to
Orsino's ear.
He tried to take her hand again, but she would not give it.
"No, no! Go--you are not to be trusted!" she cried, avoiding him.
"Why are you so unkind?" he asked, almost passionately.
"I have been kind enough for this day," she answered. "Pray go--do not
stay any longer--I may regret it."
"My staying?"
"No--my kindness. And do not come again for the present. I would rather
see you at Del Ferice's than here."
Orsino was quite unable to understand her behaviour, and an older and
more experienced man might have been almost as much puzzled as he. A
long silence followed, during which he sat quite still and she looked
steadily at the cover of a book which lay on the table.
"Please go," she said at last, in a voice which was not unkind.
Orsino rose from his seat and prepared to obey her, reluctantly enough
and feeling that he was out of tune with himself and with everything.
"Will you not even tell me why you send me away?" he asked.


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