Alpha Book

"What other things?" he asked, repeating his question. "Do you mean that
there are reasons which may prevent me from being a good friend of
yours?"
"I am afraid there are. I do not know."
"I think you are mistaken, Madame. Will you name some of those
reasons--or even one?"
Maria Consuelo did not answer at once. She glanced at him, looked down,
and then her eyes met his again.
"Do you think that you are the kind of man a woman chooses for her
friend?" she asked at length, with a faint smile.
"I have not thought of the matter--"
"But you should--before offering your friendship."
"Why? If I feel a sincere sympathy for your trouble, if I am--" he
hesitated, weighing his words--"if I am personally attached to you, why
can I not help you? I am honest, and in earnest. May I say as much as
that of myself?"
"I believe you are."
"Then I cannot see that I am not the sort of man whom a woman might take
for a friend when a better is not at hand."
"And do you believe in friendship, Don Orsino?" asked Maria Consuelo
quietly.


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