While enjoying a month of fine weather at the sea-cost, I was thrown into the company of a most fascinating creature: a real goddess in my eyes, as long as she took no notice of me. I 'never told my love' vocally; still, if looks have language, the merest idiot might have guessed I was over head and ears: she understood me at last, and looked a return - the sweetest of all imaginable looks. And what did I do? I confess it with shame - shrunk icily into myself, like a snail; at every glance retired colder and farther; till finally the poor innocent was led to doubt her own senses, and, overwhelmed with confusion at her supposed mistake, persuaded her mamma to decamp. By this curious turn of disposition I have gained the reputation of deliberate heartlessness; how undeserved, I alone can appreciate.

fragt er, "warum liebst Du mich eigentlich?"

Sie schaut ihn an, ein bisschen erstaunt, dann legt sie den Kopf in den Nacken und lacht. So sehr, dass er die Stirn runzelt.

"Warum eigentlich", fragt sie dann, "liebst Du mich nicht?"

Irgendwann versteht er. Und lacht auch.