You have only pitied me.

You are good and kind, Vjera, but I wish it had been otherwise." He spoke very quietly, in a subdued tone, and the moisture which had been more than once in his eyes since he had sat down beside the young girl, now almost took the shape of a tear.

He was wounded in his innocent vanity, in the last stronghold of his fast-fading individuality.

But Vjera turned quickly at the words and a momentary fire illuminated her pale blue eyes and dispelled the misty veil that seemed to dull them.
"Whatever you say, do not say that!" she exclaimed.

"I love you with all my heart--I--ah, if you only understood, if you only knew, if you only guessed!" "That is it," answered the Count.