Page:The Europeans (1st edition) Volume 2.djvu/43

 delightfully cool and had the added charm that—in the softly sounding pine-boughs—you seemed to hear the coolness as well as feel it. Felix and Gertrude sat down on the rust-coloured carpet of pine-needles and talked of many things. Felix spoke at last, in the course of talk, of his going away; it was the first time he had alluded to it.

"You are going away? "said Gertrude, looking at him.

"Some day—when the leaves begin to fall. You know I can't stay for ever."

Gertrude transferred her eyes to the outer prospect, and then, after a pause, she said, "I shall never see you again."

"Why not?" asked Felix. "We shall probably both survive my departure."