"Then think well if you are doing right," he said earnestly, "in refusing a man who not only loves you but respects you, who is, above all things, anxious for your welfare." "I see, you mean that beggars should not be choosers!" He considered her compassionately, and it was in a very gentle voice that he said: "I know that I have not chosen a good time for this--but I had no choice. To-morrow I must accompany the Prince," his mouth twisted as he said it, "back to Montegria, but before going I had to see you, I had to tell you that I love you, that I shall stand by you, that I am at your disposal, to take, or to leave." "Very kind of you," she answered in that cold, hard voice, so unlike her own. "I see that you are determined to misconstrue me," he said sadly, "and I am sorry, for surely no man ever offered a woman a more sincere or whole-hearted devotion than that I lay at your feet. Oh, little Ragna, if only you would come to me, I should make you forget." "I think, Count," interrupted Ragna, rising, "that I will go back to my friends. Will you be good enough--" "One moment, let me finish," said Angelescu, rising also, "will you not, at least, hear me out?" Ragna stopped, but did not reseat herself, so both remained standing. "I should make it the business of my life to give you happiness, to wipe from your memory all trace--" She made an impatient gesture. "Forgive my clumsiness! You will not consider it? To-night you are tired, you are worn out, perhaps you may think differently later. At least promise me that if you change your mind you will let me know--I shall come to you anywhere, at any time. Remember, I love you,--you need only to make the sign and I will come. And if there ever is anything I can do to help you, at any time,--if ever you are in trouble, remember that I am there." "You are very kind," she said wearily, and again moved towards the door. This time he made no effort to detain her, but giving her his arm, conducted her to the door of her own _palco_. She turned to take leave of him and gave him her hand which he raised to his lips. "Thank you for your kindness, Count," she said, adding in a clear, hard voice: "And tell the Prince that I despise him for his message. Tell him that no proposition he might make would be accepted." He saw that although her voice was hard, her eyes were bright with unshed tears,--another moment and he might have won his cause, or at least have broken down the barrier of ice she had built about herself,--but Ragna was afraid to trust herself further; she quickly entered the box, closing the door behind her. "Poor child," he murmured, "poor, poor child!" He returned to his box, the one that Mirko had engaged for the evening, and throwing on his greatcoat took his hat and hurried out.