Alpha Book

"
"It is impossible to put the case more plainly!" exclaimed Maria
Consuelo.
"Do I offend you?"
"No. Not exactly."
"Forgive me, if I do. If Spicca, as I suppose, was the unwilling cause
of your great loss, he is much to be pitied. I am not sure that he does
not deserve almost as much pity as you do."
"How can you say that--even if the rest were true?"
"Think of what he must suffer. He is devotedly attached to you."
"I know he is. You have told me that before, and I have given you the
same answer. I want neither his attachment nor his devotion."
"Then refuse to see him."
"I cannot."
"We come back to the same point again," said Orsino.
"We always shall, if you talk about this. There is no other issue.
Things are what they are and I cannot change them."
"Do you know," said Orsino, "that all this mystery is a very serious
hindrance to friendship?"
Maria Consuelo was silent for a moment.
"Is it?" she asked presently. "Have you always thought so?"
The question was a hard one to answer.


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