"Amen!" said he, so fervently that she glanced up at him swiftly, then looked into the fire again. Seeing how the colour deepened in her cheek, he came a little nearer; but still he didn't touch her; instead, he took out tobacco pouch and pipe and began to fill it with strangely clumsy fingers, and Hermione saw that his hands were trembling.
"Let me!" she said gently. So he surrendered pipe and pouch and, watching, saw that her hands trembled also; when at last she had filled the pipe, he took it and laid it on the table.
"Aren't you going to smoke, dear?"
"No, not now. You'll remember that Arthur also suggested you should—"
"Give you something to drink!" she added a little breathlessly and crossed to the cellaret in the corner. "Will you have brandy and soda?"
"Thanks—yes—that will do," he answered absently, and when she dutifully brought the filled glass he took it and set it down untasted beside the pipe.
"Why, Geoffrey!" she said in murmurous surprise, "aren't you thirsty?"
"No, not now. You will probably remember that Arthur also suggested you should—"
"I know!" she breathed, "but, oh, Geoffrey, dear—wait—just a little longer."
"Why?" he demanded hoarsely.