Page:A Virgin Heart.pdf/224

220 "Happiness always has to be looked for. When one looks for it one ﬁnds it."

"Happiness falls from heaven one day; then it goes up again and never descends any more."

"Don't say that. You will be happy."

"It's ﬁnished."

"You will be happy as soon as you meet someone you really love with all the force of an ardent and devoted heart."

"Don't let's speak of these things. It hurts me."

"I obey you. I will be silent, but not before telling you that that heart is mine."

Rose looked at him with astonished eyes. She seemed not to understand. Leonor, very much moved, got up, walked towards her and said, in a whisper:

"Rose, I love you."

At these words, Rose started, and when Leonor tried to take her hand, she got up and ran away, crying:

"No, no, no, no."

"How stupid I've, been," Leonor said to himself, when he was alone. "Does one declare one's love like this? Here am I on a level