and since books must be written in rooms； and rooms
must have hangings； and outside the windows there must
be land； and an horizon to that land； and trees perhaps；
and a hill； they sketched a habitation for themselves upon
the outline of great offices in the Strand and continued
to make an account of the future upon the omnibus which
took them towards Chelsea； and still； for both of them； it
swam miraculously in the golden light of a large steady
lamp。
As the night was far advanced they had the whole of
the seats on the top of the omnibus to choose from； and
441
Night and Day
the roads； save for an occasional couple； wearing even at
midnight； an air of sheltering their words from the public；
were deserted。 No longer did the shadow of a man
sing to the shadow of a piano。 A few lights in bedroom
windows burnt but were extinguished one by one as the
omnibus passed them。
They dismounted and walked down to the river。 She felt
his arm stiffen beneath her hand； and knew by this token
that they had entered the enchanted region。 She might
speak to him； but with that strange tremor in his voice；
those eyes blindly adoring； whom did he answer？ What
woman did he see？ And where was she walking； and who
was her panion？ Moments； fragments； a second of
vision； and then the flying waters； the winds dissipating
and dissolving； then； too； the recollection from chaos；
the return of security； the earth firm； superb and brilliant
in the sun。 From the heart of his darkness he spoke his
thanksgiving； from a region as far； as hidden； she answered
him。 On a June night the nightingales sing； they
answer each other across the plain； they are heard under
the window among the trees in the garden。 Pausing； they
looked down into the river which bore its dark tide of
waters； endlessly moving； beneath them。 They turned and
found themselves opposite the house。 Quietly they surveyed
the friendly place； burning its lamps either in expectation
of them or because Rodney was still there talking
to Cassandra。 Katharine pushed the door half open
and stood upon the threshold。 The light lay in soft golden
grains upon the deep obscurity of the hushed and sleeping
household。 For a moment they waited； and then loosed
their hands。 “Good night；” he breathed。 “Good night；”
she murmured back to him。
442
┏╮╱ ·ˊ
╰╮ 、 ．．·°
゛ ╰┛ *
。。
**