They passed through the gates into the darkness of the Park. They walked on in silence, slower, slower, till they came to a weeping tree that hung right over the footpath. Here they stopped altogether. The blood beat at his temples, he was near choking, and there was Linda in his arms and he had kissed her, shyly, coolly, almost defiantly. It was soon over, but she lingered, and out of the darkness came her voice saying:
“But you are the drollest dear.”
Stung into a passionate desire to justify his situation, he cried:
“By God, but I do love you.”
A little cry from her (he scarcely heard it), a strong embrace, and there came another kiss, wherein was neither sweetness nor delight, but only a bitter hunger.
[VIII
INTIMACY]
By hunger sharply sped
To grasp at weapons ere he learns their use.