But then--one need not look for reasons.

It is enough that it is so." Again he took the delicate, thin hand in his and pressed it, and went away, much more anxious about Gianluca than he was willing to show.

For though he had suspected much of what he now saw, as a possibility, it was a phase too new and startling not to trouble him greatly.

It will readily be conceived that if Gianluca had always been the weak and dejected and despairing individual from whom Taquisara parted that morning, there could never have been much friendship between the two.
But Gianluca, not in love, had been a very different person.

With an extremely delicate organization and a very sensitive nature, he was naturally of a gay and sunny temper.