Літо
XVIII
Themoonwassettingbeyondtheoppositeroofs,andinthedarknessoutlinedagainstthegreysquareofthewindow,shesawafigureseatedintherocking-chair.Thefiguredidnotmove:itwassunkdeepinthechair,withbowedheadandfoldedarms,andshesawthatitwasMr.Royallwhosatthere.Hehadnotundressed,buthadtakentheblanketfromthefootofthebedandlaiditacrosshisknees.Tremblingandholdingherbreathshewatchedhim,fearingthathehadbeenrousedbyhermovement;buthedidnotstir,andsheconcludedthathewishedhertothinkhewasasleep.
Asshecontinuedtowatchhimineffablereliefstoleslowlyoverher,relaxingherstrainednervesandexhaustedbody.Heknew,then...heknew...itwasbecauseheknewthathehadmarriedher,andthathesatthereinthedarknesstoshowhershewassafewithhim.Astirofsomethingdeeperthanshehadeverfeltinthinkingofhimflittedthroughhertiredbrain,andcautiously,noiselessly,sheletherheadsinkonthepillow....
Whenshewoketheroomwasfullofmorninglight,andherfirstglanceshowedherthatshewasaloneinit.Shegotupanddressed,andasshewasfasteningherdressthedooropened,andMr.Royallcamein.Helookedoldandtiredinthebrightdaylight,buthisfaceworethesameexpressionofgravefriendlinessthathadreassuredherontheMountain.Itwasasifallthedarkspiritshadgoneoutofhim.
Theywentdownstairstothedining-roomforbreakfast,andafterbreakfasthetoldherhehadsomeinsurancebusinesstoattendto.
