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Book, page 71 / 201 lest the other man should suddenly destroy him. Whereas Maurice was actually filled with hot, poignant love, the passion of friendship. Perhaps it was this very passion of friendship which Bertie shrank from most. 'We're all right together now, aren't we?' said Maurice. 'It's all right now, as long as we live, so far as we're concerned?' 'Yes,' said Bertie, trying by any means to escape. Maurice stood with head lifted, as if listening. The new delicate fulfilment of mortal friendship had come as a revelation and surprise to him, something exquisite and unhoped-for. He seemed to be listening to hear if it were real. Then he turned for his coat. 'Come,' he said, 'we'll go to Isabel.' Bertie took the lantern and opened the door. The cat disappeared. The two men went in silence along the causeways. Isabel, as they came, thought their footsteps sounded strange. She looked up pathetically and anxiously for their entrance. There seemed a curious elation about Maurice. Bertie was haggard, with sunken eyes. 'What is it?' she asked. 'We've become friends,' said Maurice, standing with his feet apart, like a strange colossus. 'Friends!' re-echoed Isabel. And she looked again at Bertie. He met her eyes with a furtive, haggard look; his eyes were as if glazed with misery. 'I'm so glad,' she said, in sheer perplexity. 'Yes,' said Maurice. He was indeed so glad. Isabel took his hand with both hers, and held it fast.
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