Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/269

 that it followed upon consecration to the warmer love….

When Sidney paid his next visit Jane was alone in the new sitting-room; her grandfather said he did not feel well enough to come down this evening. It was the first time that Kirkwood had seen the new room. After making his inquiries about Michael he surveyed the arrangements, which were as simple as they could be, and spoke a few words regarding the comfort Jane would find in them. He had his hand on a chair, but did not sit down, nor lay aside his hat. Jane suffered from a constraint which she had never before felt in his presence.

“You know what grandfather has been telling me?” she said at length, regarding him with grave eyes.

“Yes. He told me of his intention.”

“I asked him if I might speak to you about it. It was hard to understand at first.”

“It would be, I’ve no doubt.”

Jane moved a little, took up some sewing,