Anna still had not noticed him. As he came a little closer, he stood near her, their fingertips almost touching on the railing. When she glanced up, she recognized him, realizing it was the same man she had seen in the library. She suddenly felt panicked and wanted to get away quickly. But a second later she felt something else. She wanted to throw her body into his arms and tell him all her secrets. Anna followed her first impulse and withdrew her hand, murmuring "Sorry." She gathered the bottom of her long white dress and turned to scurry away.
Nikolas did not want to lose another opportunity to meet this girl. He rushed after her.
"Please don't go," he cried. He caught up with her and took her arm. "Don't go, please."
Anna stopped, unsure of what to do next. Breathing heavily, all Nikolas could think to do was say "Please" once more. He took her hand to his lips and rested his face on it. Her delicate fingers were cold, and he peered into her green eyes.. Overcome with emotion, Anna fainted, her body falling into Nikolas's arms.
Like a fragile gift, Nikolas carried Anna to a lounge chair. He knelt down and covered her with a soft blanket. Feeling Nikolas's presence, Anna slowly opened her eyes. They looked at each other deeply, without speaking a word. She placed her hand on top of his, and from that moment on, they knew they were made for each other.
***
With morning approaching, the moon had gone on to its destiny, and there was now the quiet calm of dawn. Nikolas accompanied Anna to her suite, with a promise to meet her at noon. Dawn brought with it the welcome of a bright, wonderful day. And so it was for Anna, and Nikolas―who gave her a parting kiss on her hand, with a disarming smile. The lyrics of Stanley Adam's "What a Difference a Day Makes" greeted her as she opened the door of her suite. While she was closing it, Nikolas could just barely hear the refrain: " … twentyfour little hours … "