He came to her side.

She rose quickly at his approach, moving almost apprehensively.
"Shall we go down ?" she said.
He put out a hand and linked it in her arm.

She shrank at his touch, but she endured it.

She even, after a moment, seemed to be in a measure steadied by it.

She stood motionless for a few seconds, and during those seconds his fingers closed upon her, very gentle, very firmly; then opened and set her free.
"Will you lead the way ?" he said..