From a shrub at his side he plucked sprigs of rosemary and crushed them with the spray. "Even love never begins but once. So, for every hour that passes, a memory; for every hour that tarries, a happiness; for every hour that comes, a hope. Do you remember?"
"I read it on your sun-dial."
"Every one may read it there. Where I want you to read it is in my heart."
"I wonder whether it is most what you say, or the way in which you say it, that gets people into trouble?"
"On the contrary; my life has been spent in getting people out of trouble, and in waiting to say things to you."
"You are improving your opportunity in that respect. And you are losing a still more delightful opportunity, for you don't know how much relief you can give me by leaving most of them unsaid."
"It is impossible, of course, to embrace all of our opportunities--often impossible to embrace the cause of them."
"Don't pick me up in that way, please."
He held his hands over hers and dropped the crushed rosemary on them. "Would that I could in any way. Since I cannot, let me annoy you."
Dolly appeared at a distance, and they walked down the terrace to meet her. She kissed Alice. "What makes you look so girlish to-day? And what is all this color around your eyes? Never wear anything but white. I never should myself," sighed Dolly. "You know Alice and I are off for the seashore," she added, turning to her brother.