I could not find out who you were then, or where you hid yourself; I do not know now, but----" He stopped; he did not wish to offend her; he looked at the glossy neck of the horse he was holding.

"I was young and very foolish, but I loved you." The sound of his own low sad tones was still in his ears when he also heard the low music of irrepressible laughter, and, looking up, he saw that the recollection which a few minutes before had made him smile had now entirely overcome the lady's gravity.

She was blushing, she was trying not to laugh; but in spite of herself she did laugh more and more heartily, and although her merriment was inopportune, he could not help joining in it to some extent.

It was so cheerful to see the laughter-loving self appear within the grave face, to be beside her, and to have partnership in her mirth.

So they looked in each other's eyes, and they both laughed, and after that they felt better.
"And yet," said he, "it was a frolic that has worked sorrow for me." "Come," said she, lifting her reins, "you will regret if you go on talking this way." She would have gone on quite lightly and contentedly, and left him there as if he had said nothing of love, as if their words had been the mere reminiscence of a past that had no result in the present, as if his heart was not breaking; but a fierce sense of this injustice made him keep his hold of her bridle.