Still, he regretted what he had
done. To introduce Ida to his friends would be almost equivalent to
avowing some conventional relations between her and himself. And, in
the next place, it would be an obstacle in the way of those
relations becoming anything but conventional. Well, and was not this
exactly the kind of aid he needed in pursuing the course which he
felt to be right? Truly; yet--
At this point Waymark broke into that half contemptuous, half
indulgent laugh which so frequently interrupted his self-communings,
and, it being nearly one o'clock, set out to call for Ida. The day
was fine, and, when they left the steamer at Putney, they walked on
to the heath in good spirits and with cheerful talk. To be with Ida
under these circumstances, in the sunlight and the fresh breeze, was
very different from sitting with her yonder in the little room, with
the lamp burning on the table, and the quietness of night around.
The calm pleasure of passionless intercourse was realised and
sufficing. Ida, too, seemed content to enjoy the moment; there was
not that wistfulness in her eyes which had been so new to him and so
strong in its influence. It was easy to find indifferent subjects of
conversation, and to avoid the seriousness which would have been
fatal.
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