He took her down to a winding path covered in under trees, which led to the sea by steps cut in the rock. They sat down on a bench. The sea air was fresh and soothing.
'This is where I sit and read—and think about you. Well, Edith, are you going to put me out of my suspense? How much longer am I to suffer? Let me look at you.'
She looked up at him. He smiled at what he saw.
'It'll be rather jolly to have two days or so here all to ourselves,' he said, 'but it will be far from jolly unless you give me that promise.'
'But doesn't the promise refer to after you come back again?' she said in a low voice.
'I don't ask you to come away until I'm back again. But I want you to promise before that you will.'
Nothing more was said on the subject at the time, but after dinner, when Dilly had been put to bed, it was so warm that they could come out again, and then she said:
'Aylmer, don't worry yourself any more. I mean to do it.'
'You do!'
He looked at her ecstatically.