“I’m frightfully tired,” she said. “I simply can’t go so fast.”
“You must. Presently you can rest as long as you like.”
They walked very quickly for a while. Now and then Arthur looked back. The night was still quite dark, and the stars shone out in their myriads. At last he slackened their pace.
“Now you can go more slowly,” he said.
Susie saw the smiling glance that he gave her. His eyes were full of tenderness. He put his arm affectionately round her shoulders to support her.
“I’m afraid you’re quite exhausted, poor thing,” he said. “I’m sorry to have had to hustle you so much.”
“It doesn’t matter at all.”
She leaned against him comfortably. With that protecting arm about her, she felt capable of any fatigue. Dr Porhoët stopped.
“You must really let me roll myself a cigarette,” he said.
“You may do whatever you like,” answered Arthur.