"Surely not yet, dearest."
"But it's past six."
"Don't let us go a moment sooner than is necessary," she pleaded. "It's all been too wonderful."
As the September sun had sunk behind the cliffs, they no longer felt his warmth. When Perigal had packed the luncheon basket, they walked about hand in hand, exploring the inmost recesses of their romantic retreat. It was only when it was quite dusk that they regretfully made a start for home.
"Go on a moment. I must take a last look of where I have been so happy," said Mavis.
"Alone?"
"If you don't mind. I want to see what it's like without you. I want to carry it in my mind all my life."
It was not long before Mavis rejoined her lover. When she had looked at the spot where she had enjoyed a day of unalloyed rapture, it appeared strangely desolate in the gathering gloom of night.
"Serve you right for wishing to be without me," he laughed, when she told him how the place had presented itself to her.
"You're quite right. It does," she assented.