"You are uninteresting tonight, Hadron of Hastor," she said after a particularly long silence, during which I had been endeavouring to formulate my proposal in some convincing and graceful phrases.
"Perhaps," I replied, "it is because I am trying to find the words in which to clothe the most interesting thought I have ever entertained."
"And what is that?" she asked politely, though with no great show of interest.
"I love you, Sanoma Tora," I blurted awkwardly.
She laughed. It was like the tinkling of silver upon crystal—beautiful but cold. "That has been apparent for a long while," she said; "but why speak of it?"
"And why not?" I asked.
"Because even if I returned your love, I am not for you, Hadron of Hastor," she replied coldly.
"You cannot love me then, Sanoma Tora?" I asked.
