Sir Adam rose from his chair.
“Should you like to take a turn?” he asked, speaking to Mrs. Bowring and standing before her.
She rose in silence and stepped forward, with a quiet, set face, as though she knew that the supreme moment had come.
“Take our chairs,” said Sir Adam to Clare and Brook. “We are going to walk about a little.”
Mrs. Bowring turned in the direction whence the young people had come, towards the end of the terrace. Sir Adam walked erect beside her.
“Is there a way out at that end?” he asked in a low voice, when they had gone a little distance.
“No.”
“We can’t stand there and talk. Where can we go? Isn’t there a quiet place somewhere?”
“Do you want to talk to me?” asked Mrs. Bowring, looking straight before her.
“Yes, please,” answered Sir Adam, almost sharply, but still in a low tone. “I’ve waited a long time,” he added.