Not another word had been said with
reference to Aylmer's proposal. He left it in abeyance, for he saw to
his great joy and delight that she was becoming her old self, more than
her old self.
Edith was completely changed. The first thing she thought of now in the
morning was how soon she should see him again. She managed to conceal it
well, but she was nervous, absent, with her eyes always on the clock,
counting the minutes. When other people were present she was cool and
friendly to Aylmer, but when they were alone he had become intimate,
delightful, familiar, like the time, three years ago, when they were
together at the seaside. But her mother-in-law had then been in the
house. And the children. Everything was so conventional. Now she was
able to see him alone. Really alone.... His eyes welcomed her as she
came in. Having shut the door quietly, she reached his chair in a
little rush.
'Don't take off your hat. I like that hat. That was the hat you wore the
day I told you--'
'I'm glad it suits me,' she said, interrupting. 'Does it really? Isn't
it too small?'
'You know it does.'
He was holding her hand. He slowly took off the glove, saying: 'What a
funny woman you are, Edith.
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