'May I sit by you?' asked Sanin.

'Yes.' Gemma moved a little along on the seat. Sanin placed himself
beside her. 'How am I to begin?' was his thought. But Gemma got him
out of his difficulty.

'You have fought a duel to-day,' she began eagerly, and she turned
all her lovely, bashfully flushing face to him--and what depths of
gratitude were shining in those eyes! 'And you are so calm! I suppose
for you danger does not exist?'

'Oh, come! I have not been exposed to any danger. Everything went off
very satisfactorily and inoffensively.'

Gemma passed her finger to right and to left before her eyes ... Also
an Italian gesture. 'No! no! don't say that! You won't deceive me!
Pantaleone has told me everything!'

'He's a trustworthy witness! Did he compare me to the statue of the
commander?'

'His expressions may be ridiculous, but his feeling is not ridiculous,
nor is what you have done to-day. And all that on my account ... for
me ... I shall never forget it.'

'I assure you, Fraeulein Gemma ...'

'I shall never forget it,' she said deliberately; once more she looked
intently at him, and turned away.