I had been detained at the bank, and found the play in full swing when I came in.

The signorina was taking no part in it, but sat by herself on a low lounge by the veranda window.

I went up to her and made my bow.
"You spare us but little of your time, Mr.Martin," she said.
"Ah, but you have all my thoughts," I replied, for she was looking charming.
"I don't care so much about your thoughts," she said.

Then, after a pause, she went on, "It's very hot here, come into the conservatory." It almost looked as though she had been waiting for me, and I followed in high delight into the long, narrow glass house running parallel to the _salon_.

High green plants hid us from the view of those inside, and we only heard distinctly his Excellency's voice, saying with much geniality to the colonel, "Well, you must be lucky in love, colonel," from which I concluded that the colonel was not in the vein at cards.
The signorina smiled slightly as she heard; then she plucked a white rose, turned round, and stood facing me, slightly flushed as though with some inner excitement.
"I am afraid those two gentlemen do not love one another," she said.
"Hardly," I assented.
"And you, do you love them--or either of them ?" "I love only one person in Aureataland," I replied, as ardently as I dared.
The signorina bit her rose, glancing up at me with unfeigned amusement and pleasure.