"But I mean to tell her."
"Please!... Well!... Well!... Need you do that immediately? Could you not let me have it for a few days? I shall return it to you. You can then take it to her."
"You will let no one see it?"
"Absolutely!"
"Very well. And you will return it to me?"
"I promise."
And so it was agreed that Stephen should take the letter with him, which he promised to return together with the earliest news of the result of his court-martial.
He stood up.
II
Stephen came out the little white gate closing it very deliberately behind him and immediately set off at a brisk pace down the street. Every fiber within him thrilled with energy. The road was dusty and hot, and his pace grew very strenuous and fervent. There was no breeze; there was no sound of wheels; all was quiet as the bells tolled out the hour of six. Nevertheless he trudged along with great haste without once stopping until he had reached the door of his lodgings.