I told her I was too." "Indeed!" Constance's tone was remote.

"To whom ?" "The most charming girl in the world." "May I ask her name ?" He laid his hand on his heart in a gesture reminiscent of Tony.
"Costantina." "Oh! I congratulate you." "Thank you--I hoped you would." She looked away, gravely, toward the Maggiore rising from the midst of its clouds.

His gaze followed hers, and for three minutes there was silence.

Then he leaned toward her.
"Constance, will you marry me ?" "No!" A pause of four minutes during which Constance stared steadily at the mountain.

At the end of that time her curiosity overcame her dignity; she glanced at him sidewise.