Kazimeriz looked up at her, his face pale, his eyelashes damp. His face had that curious falling-away look that elderly people who have had a bad shock sometimes seem to take on.

He cleared his throat, his hands falling uslessly into his lap. His shoulders dropped.

"I believe I owe you an apology... Madame Avalon." he whispered huskily. "I did not know. It did not occur to me... I did not know." he finished lamely.