‘He adores the child.’
Wheels were in mute motion within them; and presently the remark was tossed-up:
‘In his coming to us, it is possible to see paternal solicitude’
Thence came fruit of reflection:
‘To be instrumental as guides to a tender young life!’
Reflection heated with visions:
‘Once our dream!’
They had the happier feeling of composure, though Tasso possessed the room. Not Tasso, but a sublimated offensiveness, issue of the antagonistically combined, dispersed to be the more penetrating; insomuch that it seemed to them they could not ever again make use of eau d’Arquebusade without the vitiating reminder. So true were the words of Mr. Stuart Rem: ‘Half measures to purification are the most delusive of our artifices.’ Fatigue and its reflections helped to be peacefuller. Their souls were mounting to a serenity above the nauseating degradation, to which the poor little dog had dragged them.
‘Victor gave his promise.’
‘At least, concession would not imply contact with the guilty.’