“She saved Vere’s life and, indirectly, mine. I’ll tell you now we’re
together again at last. I shall never tell Vere.”
He looked towards the windows, across which dark blue silk curtains were
drawn, as if he could see the passing-bell swinging in the old square
tower. Then he turned to me.
“You know how mad I was about Vere. It’s always like that with me.
Unless I’m stone I’m fire. After we were married I got even madder.
Having her all to myself was like enchantment, and in Italy, too, my
other native land.”