Part 34 (1/2)
”Have you any idea where I was going?” asked Julius, laughing a little.
”Not the least. You were not going anywhere; you were out for a row, I suppose, because you wanted the air.” She looked a little puzzled.
”If you had not overtaken me, I should never have seen you again,” he said, looking at her affectionately.
”What do you mean?” she asked, rather startled.
”Simply this, I was running away. I was engaged to dine with you that evening, and I was going to Naples to get out of it. I would have sent a telegram about urgent business--or anything.”
”What an idea!” she exclaimed, laughing. ”Why did you do that?”
”Because I knew what would happen if I stayed,” said he, softly.
”But you did not care for me then?” she asked, quickly.
”Oh, yes, I did,” he answered; ”and I knew I should care a great deal more.” His eyes burned in the bright light of the afternoon.
”But I did not love you in the least then,” said Leonora, demurely.
”No, of course not--and I did not flatter myself that you would. But I knew I was going to love you with all my heart.”
Again their hands met for a moment, and a couple of sailors, who watched them from a distance, nudged each other and grinned.
”When did you first begin to care, dear?” he said presently.
”Seriously? What a silly question, Julius. How can I tell?”
”It was after I found you in the church, was it not?”
”Yes, indeed. Ever so long after that!”
”About two days?” he suggested gravely.
”How absurd, Julius,” she said with a little air of offended dignity that was charming. ”You know it was ever so long.”
”I wonder what you thought of me, when you turned round and saw me looking at you in the church,” said he. He really had not an idea, and was curious to know.
”I thought you were very rude,” said she. ”And afterwards I thought you were very nice.”
”I did not mean to be rude,” said Julius, ”but I could not help going in. I was in love with you, and I knew you were there.”
”In love--already?” asked Leonora.
”Why--yes--it was at least a week after I tried to run away,” said Julius innocently.
”It was exactly two days,” said Leonora.
They both laughed, for it was quite true. It was very pleasant to recall the beginnings of their love, for it had all been sweet, and easy; it seemed so to them, at least, as the foresh.o.r.e hid Sorrento from their sight, and with it the scene of all they were discussing.