One of Our Conquerors - World eBook Library

mured an adieu, grateful for being spared the ceremonial
shake of hands. He turned away, then turned back, praying
for power to speak, to say that he had found his heart, was
grateful, would hold her in memory. He fell on a knee before
her, and forgot he had done so when he had risen. They
were conducted by the Rev. gentleman to the hall-door: he
was not speechless. Jarniman uttered something.
That black door closed behind them.
George Meredith
CHAPTER XLI
THE NIGHT OF THE GREAT UNDELIV-
ERED SPEECH
TO A MAN issuing from a mortuary where a skull had voice,
London may be restorative as air of Summer Alps. It is by
contrast blooming life. Observe the fellowship of the houses
shoulder to shoulder; and that straight ascending smoke of
the preparation for dinner; and the good policeman yonder,
blessedly idle on an orderly Sabbath evening; and the families
of the minor people trotting homeward from the park to
tea; here and again an amiable carriage of the superimposed
people driving to pay visits; they are so social, friendly, inviting
to him; they strip him of the shroud, sing of the sweet
old world. He cannot but be moved to the extremity of the
charitableness neighbouring on tears.
A stupefaction at the shock of the positive reminder, echo
of the fact still shouting in his breast, that he had seen Mrs.
Burman, and that the interview was over—the leaf turned
and the book shut held Victor in a silence until his grateful-
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