White Nights - VII

“Very good,” said the girl, “Perhaps I will come here tomorrow too at ten o’clock. I see that I can’t forbid you. The fact is that I have to be here. Don’t imagine that I am making an appointment with you; I am telling you beforehand that I have to be here on my own account. But well, I don’t mind if you do come. To begin with, something unpleasant might happen as it did today, but never mind that. In short, I would simply like to see you to say two words to you. Only mind that you must not think the worse of me now! Don’t think I make appointments so lightly. I shouldn’t make it except that. But let that be my secret! Only a compact beforehand...”

“A compact! Speak, tell me, tell me everything beforehand; I will agree to anything. I am ready for anything.” I cried delighted. “I answer for myself. I will be obedient, respectful. You know me..."

“It’s just because I do know you that I am asking you to come tomorrow.” Said the girl, laughing. “I know you perfectly. But you will have to come on a condition. (only be good, do what I ask- you see, I speak frankly) that you won’t fall in love with me. That’s impossible, I assure you. I am ready for friendship; here’s my hand but you mustn’t fall in love with me, I beg you!”

“I swear.” I cried, gripping her hand.

“Hush, don’t swear. I know you are ready to flare up like gunpowder. Don’t think ill of me for saying so. If only you knew....I, too, have no one to whom I can say a word, whose advice I can ask. Of course, one does not look for an adviser on a street but you are an exception. I know you as though we have been friends for twenty years. You won’t deceive me, will you?”

“You will see. The only thing is that I don’t know how I am going to survive the next twenty-four hours.”

“Sleep soundly. Good-night and remember that I have trusted you already. But you exclaimed so nicely just now, ‘Surely one can’t be held responsible for every feeling even for brotherly sympathy!’ Do you know that it was so nicely said that the idea struck me at once, that I might confide in you?”

“For God’s sake do; but about what? What is it?”

“Wait till tomorrow. Meanwhile, let that be a secret. The longer I take, the better for you. It will give it a faint flavor of romance. Perhaps I will tell you tomorrow or perhaps not. I will talk to you a little more beforehand and we will get to know each other better....”

TO BE CONTINUED.