Could anything be more delicious, more original, more in harmony with the place and hour?
And as if all this were not enough, she really felt the touch and thrill of love in her own heart, and the leaping wonder to know what was to come.
She had told him to speak and she waited for his voice.

He, on his part, knew that much was at stake, for he saw that she was moved, and that all depended on his words.

The fewer the better, he thought, if only there could be a note of passion in them, if only one of them could ring as all of poor Ruggiero's had rung when he had spoken that afternoon.

He hesitated and hesitation would be fatal if it lasted another five seconds.

He grew desperate.