"Of course it was. Let me make my darling comfortable. She must be tired after her walk."
"She isn't a bit—but—"
"But what, sweetheart?"
"It's a long time since she had a kiss."
Perigal insisted upon making Mavis comfortable, with her back to a conveniently situated hummock of earth. He lit a cigarette, to pass it on to her before lighting one for himself.
Mavis lay back with the cigarette between her red lips, the while her eyes lazily took in the strange loveliness about her. The joy that burned so fiercely in her heart seemed to have been communicated to the world. Sea, cliff, waterfalls were all resplendent in the bountiful sunlight.
"It's not real: it's not real," she presently murmured.
"What isn't real?" he asked.
"This: you: love."
He reassured her with kisses.