"The fact is," I said, "that I'm a little--well, sensitive; and when
you, or the person I thought was you, did not speak to me, nor look at
me, nor pay any more heed to me than if I had been a talking-machine
worked with a crank, I was somewhat provoked, and determined that if you
suddenly chose to freeze in that way I would freeze too, and that you
should have no more of that story in which you were so interested; and
so I smashed the loves of Tomaso and Lucilla and took up commerce, which
I was sure you would hate."
At this there was a quick flash in her eyes, and the first tremblings of
a smile at the corners of her mouth.
"Oh!" she said, and that was all she did say, as she returned to the
table and took her seat.
"Is my explanation satisfactory?" I asked.
"Oh, certainly," she answered; "and if you will excuse me for saying so,
I think you are a very fortunate man. In trying to punish me you
protected yourself,--that is, if you care to have secretaries from our
institution."
As I could not see her face, I could not determine what answer I should
make to this remark, and she continued, as she turned over the sheets:--
"What are you going to do with the pages which were written yesterday?"
"Tear them up," I replied, "and throw them into the basket.
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