"Oh! it is a splendid thing!" Katherine cried, and her voice vibrated. "And unlike the Spanish Student, I shall not 'grow weary of the bewildering masquerade,' 'where strangers walk as friends and friends as strangers.' And even if they did, the unexpectedness of it would be delightful!"
Mordryn looked at her. At the fresh, young firm, smooth cheeks, the living red, voluptuous mouth, the ashen-hued hair, every strand of which seemed to be specially alive and to hold its own silvery glitter. And then at her strange, compelling eyes, and he sighed a little. She seemed such an embodiment of vital things.
"You are ready for the great adventure?"
"Quite, and I mean to know everything before I grow old and indifferent."
He sighed again.
"Age does not always produce indifference; it would be merciful if it did."
"There can be no need really to grow old. Age comes because people lose their grip on things."
"Probably. But responsibilities and sorrows and disappointments age. You have no doubt a very sheltered life, and so it seems to you that all is easy."
Katherine laughed again softly. It was so delicious to think of the reality in contrast to his supposition!
"My life is indeed sheltered—by a very strong shield, but not by the one your words would suggest."