“Yes. I like everything about us, in heaven and earth, and most of all I like your companionship, Rhoda.”
She could not resent this first use of her Christian name; it was so natural, so inevitable; yet she moved her head as if with a slight annoyance.
“Is mine as agreeable to you?” he added, stroking the back of her hand with a spray of heather. “Or do you just tolerate me out of good-nature?”
“I have liked your companionship all the way from Seascale. Don’t disturb my enjoyment of it for the rest of the way.”
“That would be a misfortune indeed. The whole day shall be perfect. Not a note of discord. But I must have liberty to say what comes into my mind, and when you don’t choose to answer I shall respect your silence.”
“Wouldn’t you like to smoke a cigar before we start again?”
“Yes. But I like still better not to. The scent of peat is pleasanter to you than that of tobacco.”
“Oblige me by lighting the cigar.”
“If you command—” He did her bidding. “The whole day shall be perfect. A delightful dinner at the inn, a drive to Seascale, an hour or two of rest, and then one more quiet talk by the sea at nightfall.”
“All but the last. I shall be too tired.”