Now that she has come back I am very anxious to persuade her to marry me." A single lightning-like flash in Mr.Sabin's eyes for a moment disconcerted his host.

But, after all, it was gone with such amazing suddenness that it left behind it a sense of unreality.

Mr.Brott decided that after all it must have been fancy.
"May I ask," Mr.Sabin said quietly, "whether the Countess appears to receive your suit with favour ?" Mr.Brott hesitated.
"I am afraid I cannot go so far as to say that she does," he said regretfully.

"I do not know why I find myself talking on this matter to you.

I feel that I should apologise for giving such a personal turn to the conversation." "I beg that you will do nothing of the sort," Mr.Sabin protested.