Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

XIII

           Once,attheturnofawall,theystoppedthemotorbeforearuinedgatewayand,stumblingalongaroadfullofruts,stoodbeforealittleolddesertedhouse,fantasticallycarvedandchimneyed,whichlayinamoatundertheshadeofancienttrees.Theypacedthepathsbetweenthetrees,foundamouldyTempleofLoveonanisletamongreedsandplantains,and,sittingonabenchinthestable-yard,watchedthepigeonscirclingagainstthesunsetovertheircotofpatternedbrick.Thenthemotorflewonintothedusk...

           Whentheycameintheysatbesidethefireintheoakdrawing-room,andDarrownoticedhowdelicatelyherheadstoodoutagainstthesombrepanelling,andmusedontheenjoymenttherewouldalwaysbeinthemerefactofwatchingherhandsastheymovedaboutamongthetea-things...

           Theydinedlate,andfacingheracrossthetable,withitslowlightsandflowers,hefeltanextraordinarypleasureinseeingheragainineveningdress,andinlettinghiseyesdwellontheproudshysetofherhead,thewayherdarkhairclaspedit,andthegirlishthinnessofherneckabovetheslightswellofthebreast.Hisimaginationwasstruckbythequalityofreticenceinherbeauty.Shesuggestedafineportraitkeptdowntoafewtones,oraGreekvaseonwhichtheplayoflightistheonlypattern.

           Afterdinnertheywentoutontheterraceforalookatthemoon-mistedpark.Throughthecrepuscularwhitenessthetreeshunginblottedmasses.Belowtheterrace,thegardendrewitsdarkdiagramsbetweenstatuesthatstoodlikemuffledconspiratorsontheedgeoftheshadow.

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