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colour and the deep…down forms enshrouded so jealously； each feared
too much to unveil the other's heart。 They were like lovers who；
rambling in a shy wood； never dare stay their babbling talk of the
trees and birds and lost bluebells； lest in the deep waters of a kiss
their star of all that is to come should fall and be drowned。 To
each hour its familiarand the spirit of that hour was the spirit of
the white flowers in the bowl on the window…sill above her head。
They spoke of Monk…land； and Miltoun's illness； of his first speech；
his impressions of the House of Commons； of music； Barbara； Courtier；
the river。 He told her of his health； and described his days down by
the sea。 She； as ever； spoke little of herself； persuaded that it
could not interest even him； but she described a visit to the opera；
and how she had found a picture in the National Gallery which
reminded her of him。 To all these trivial things and countless
others； the tone of their voicessoft； almost murmuring； with a sort
of delighted gentlenessgave a high； sweet importance； a halo that
neither for the world would have dislodged from where it hovered。
It was past six when he got up to go； and there had not been a moment
to break the calm of that sacred feeling in both their hearts。 They
parted with another tranquil look； which seemed to say： 'It is well
with uswe have drunk of happiness。'
And in this same amazing calm Miltoun remained after he had gone
away； till about half…past nine in the evening； he started forth； to
walk down to the House。 It was now that sort of warm； clear night；
which in the country has firefly magic； and even over the Town
spreads a dark glamour。 And for Miltoun； in the delight of his new
health and well…being； with every sense alive and clean； to walk
through the warmth and beauty of this night was sheer pleasure。 He
passed by way of St。 James's Park； treading down the purple shadows
of plane…tree leaves into the pools of lamplight； almost with
remorseso beautiful； and as if alive； were they。 There were moths
abroad； and gnats； born on the water； and scent of new…mown grass
drifted up from the lawns。 His heart felt light as a swallow he had
seen that morning； swooping at a grey feather； carrying it along；
letting it flutter away； then diving to seize it again。 Such was his
elation； this beautiful night！ Nearing the House of Commons； he
thought he would walk a little longer； and turned westward to the
river： On that warm evening the water； without movement at turn of
tide； was like the black； snake…smooth hair of Nature streaming out
on her couch of Earth； waiting for the caress of a divine hand。 Far
away on the further； bank throbbed some huge machine； not stilled as
yet。 A few stars were out in the dark sky； but no moon to invest
with pallor the gleam of the lamps。 Scarcely anyone passed。 Miltoun
strolled along the river wall； then crossed； and came back in front
of the Mansions where she lived。 By the railing he stood still。 In
the sitting…room of her little flat there was no light； but the
casement window was wide open； and the crown of white flowers in the
bowl on the window…sill still gleamed out in the darkness like a
crescent moon lying on its face。 Suddenly； he saw two pale hands
riseone on either side of that bowl； lift it； and draw it in。 And
he quivered； as though they had touched him。 Again those two hands
came floating up； they were parted now by darkness； the moon of
flowers was gone； in its place had been set handfuls of purple or
crimson blossoms。 And a puff of warm air rising quickly out of the
night drifted their scent of cloves into his face； so that he held
his breath for fear of calling out her name。
Again the hands had vanishedthrough the open window there was
nothing to be seen but darkness； and such a rush of longing seized on
Miltoun as stole from him all power of movement。 He could hear her
playing； now。 The murmurous current of that melody was like the
night itself； sighing； throbbing； languorously soft。 It seemed that
in this music she was calling him； telling him that she； too； was
longing； her heart； too； empty。 It died away； and at the window her
white figure appeared。 From that vision he could not； nor did he try
to shrink； but moved out into the； lamplight。 And he saw her
suddenly stretch out her hands to him； and withdraw them to her
breast。 Then all save the madness of his longing deserted Miltoun。
He ran down the little garden； across the hall； up the stairs。
The door was open。 He passed through。 There； in the sitting…room；
where the red flowers in the window scented all the air； it was dark；
and he could not at first see her； till against the piano he caught
the glimmer of her white dress。 She was sitting with hands resting
on the pale notes。 And falling on his knees； he buried his face
against her。 Then； without looking up； he raised his hands。 Her
tears fell on them covering her heart； that throbbed as if the
passionate night itself were breathing in there； and all but the
night and her love had stolen forth。
CHAPTER XIV
On a spur of the Sussex Downs； inland from Nettle…Cold； there stands
a beech…grove。 The traveller who enters it out of the heat and
brightness； takes off the shoes of his spirit before its； sanctity；
and； reaching the centre； across the clean beech…mat； he sits
refreshing his brow with air； and silence。 For the flowers of
sunlight on the ground under those branches are pale and rare； no
insects hum； the birds are almost mute。 And close to the border
trees are the quiet； milk…white sheep； in congregation； escaping from
noon heat。 Here； above fields and dwellings； above the ceaseless
network of men's doings； and the vapour of their talk； the traveller
feels solemnity。 All seems conveying divinitythe great white
clouds moving their wings above him； the faint longing murmur of the
boughs； and in far distance； the sea。。。。 And for a space his
restlessness and fear know the peace of God。
So it was with Miltoun when he reached this temple； three days after
that passionate night； having walked for hours； alone and full of
conflict。 During those three days he had been borne forward on the
flood tide； and now； tearing himself out of London； where to think
was impossible； he had come to the solitude of the Downs to walk； and
face his new position。
For that position he saw to be very serious。 In the flush of full
realization； there was for him no question of renunciation。 She was
his； he hers； that was determined。 But what； then； was he to do？
There was no chance of her getting free。 In her husband's view； it
seemed； under no circumstances was marriage dissoluble。 Nor； indeed；
to Miltoun would divorce have made things easier； believing as he did
that he and she were guilty； and that for the guilty there could be
no marriage。 She； it was true； asked nothing but just to be his in
secret； and that was the course he knew most men would take； without
further thought。 There was no material reason in the world why he
should not so act； and maintain unchanged every other current of his
life。 It would be easy； usual。 And；