"She has chosen for herself," he said, "without
compulsion on anyone's part."
"Yes, yes--I know. But tell me----"
He stopped.
"I will tell you anything I can."
"Well, then--I don't know much about the
details of these affairs in the hills,--are you going
to take her into any very serious danger?"
"Do you want the truth?"
"Yes."
"Then--yes."
Martini turned away and went on pacing up and
down. Presently he stopped again.
"I want to ask you another question. If you
don't choose to answer it, you needn't, of course;
but if you do answer, then answer honestly. Are
you in love with her?"
The Gadfly deliberately knocked the ash from
his cigar and went on smoking in silence.
"That means--that you don't choose to
answer?"
"No; only that I think I have a right to know
why you ask me that."
"Why? Good God, man, can't you see why?"
"Ah!" He laid down his cigar and looked
steadily at Martini. "Yes," he said at last,
slowly and softly. "I am in love with her.
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