Alpha Book

Maria Consuelo could not or would not speak and Orsino did not
know what to say. He thought of inquiring what the commission might be
with which, according to her note, she had wished to entrust him. But an
instant's reflection told him that the question would be tactless. If
she had invented the idea as an excuse for seeing him, to mention it
would be to force her hand, as card-players say, and he had no intention
of doing that. Even if she really had something to ask of him, he had no
right to change the subject so suddenly. He bethought him of a better
question.
"You wrote me that you were going away," he said quietly. "But you will
come back next winter, will you not, Madame?"
"I do not know," she answered, vaguely. Then she started a little, as
though understanding his words. "What am I saying!" she exclaimed. "Of
course I shall come back."
"Have you been drinking from the Trevi fountain by moonlight, like those
mad English?" he asked, with a smile.
"It is not necessary. I know that I shall come back--if I am alive.


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