“You will be leaving tomorrow?” she asked aloud.
“Are you in such a hurry to get rid of me?”
“No, of course not. I was only interested. It must be upsetting for you to have your plans altered at the last moment.”
“Shall I confess that I was glad to have the opportunity of seeing you again.”
“You can hardly expect me to believe that.”
“Then shall we say I was feeling romantic and hoped that the nightingales were in good voice.”
“Have you noticed that they have decided not to give a performance tonight?”
“How disobliging of them. I shall have to make do with you. Will you sing me a song of love?”
“I doubt that my voice would be as beguiling.”
“Then we must talk instead,” the Marquis suggested. “And now that we know each other so much better, I suggest you tell me about yourself.”
“
