Then a murmur of voices
from the garden reached them, as though some one approached.
Marsham rose.
"Shall we go into the garden? I ought to speak to Robins. How is he
getting on?"
Robins was the new head gardener, appointed on Marsham's recommendation.
"Excellently." Diana had also risen. "I will get my hat."
He opened the door for her. Hang those people outside! But for them she
would have been already in his arms.
Left to himself, he walked to and fro, restless and smiling. No more
self-repression--no more politic delay! The great moment of
life--grasped--captured at last! He in his turn understood the
Faust-cry--"Linger awhile!--thou art so fair!" Only let him pierce to
the heart of it--realize it, covetously, to the full! All the ordinary
worldly motives were placated and at rest; due sacrifice had been done
to them; they teased no more. Upgathered and rolled away, like
storm-winds from the sea, they had left a shining and a festal wave for
love to venture on. Let him only yield himself--feel the full swell of
the divine force!
He moved to the window, and looked out.
_Birch_!--What on earth brought that creature to Beechcote.
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