His whole expression, his whole bearing, was attractive as he came towards her; he seemed to carry about him a breath of the country—the clean, open spaces of the country. And her heart gave a throb of pride and satisfaction, of complete, ungrudging admiration, as he took her hands again and drew her to him.
"Well!" he said fondly—"well! Have you really missed me as much as your letters said?"
For a moment she remained silent, drinking in the joy of his presence.
"Won't you tell me?"
"In a moment—in one moment. Oh, Walter, the heavenly rest of knowing that you care!"
Then suddenly shaking off her seriousness, she drew away from him, looking up into his face with eyes that shone strangely.
"I'm not crying, Walter!" she exclaimed. "I'm only—frantically happy!" She gave a little gasp, followed by a little laugh.
And Gore, carried away by her charm, by the unconscious flattery of her words, caught her suddenly in his arms, and, bending his face to hers, kissed her passionately.
At last they drew apart, laughing; and Clodagh moved across the room to the open window, and sat down upon the low sill.
A second or two later, he followed her.