“I was lying down right enough, but I never closed my eyes.”
“The rest would have done you good after our walk. Didn't you try?”
“I was lying down, I tell you, but sleep I couldn't.”
“And you made no sound! What want of sincerity. Or did you want to be alone for a time?”
“I—alone?” she murmured.
He noticed her eyeing the book, and got up to put it back in the bookcase. When he turned round, he saw that she had dropped into the chair—it was the one she always used—and looked as if her strength had suddenly gone from her, leaving her only her youth, which seemed very pathetic, very much at his mercy. He moved quickly towards the chair.
“Tired, are you? It's my fault, taking you up so high and keeping you out so long. Such a windless day, too!”
She watched his concern, her pose languid, her eyes raised to him, but as unreadable as ever. He avoided looking into them for that very reason. He forgot himself in the contemplation of those passive arms, of these defenceless lips, and—yes, one had to go back to them—of these wide-open eyes. Something wild in their grey stare made him think of sea-birds in the cold murkiness of high latitudes. He started when she spoke, all the charm of physical intimacy revealed suddenly in that voice.
“You should try to love me!” she said.
He made a movement of astonishment.