Page:HG Wells--secret places of the heart.djvu/231

219 wise to take this sudden desire for her company seriously. Her dinner shoes, she said, were too thin. Perhaps she would change and come out a little later. “Yes, come later,” said Miss Grammont and led the way to the door.

They passed through the garden. “I think we go up the hill?” said Sir Richmond.

“Yes,” she agreed, “up the hill.”

Followed a silence.

Sir Richmond made an effort, but after some artificial and disconnected talk about Tintern Abbey, concerning, which she had no history ready, and then, still lamer, about whether Monmouthshire is in England or Wales, silence fell again. The silence lengthened, assumed a significance, a dignity that no common words might break.

Then Sir Richmond spoke. “I love, you,” he said, “with all my heart.”

Her soft voice came back after a stillness. “I love you,” she said, “with all myself.”

“I had long ceased to hope,” said Sir Richmond, “that I should ever find a friend ... a lover ... perfect companionship....”

They went on walking side by side, without touching each other or turning to each other.

“All the things I wanted to think I believe have come alive in me,” she said....

“Cool and sweet,” said Sir Richmond. “Such happiness as I could not have imagined.”

The light of a silent bicycle appeared above