There were dim gardens behind old law courts, bits of mellow old enclosures and squares seemingly forgotten by the world, there were the immensities of the great parks where embowered paths and corners were at certain hours as unexplored as the wilderness.

When the Duchess was away or a day of holiday came, there were, more than once, a few hours on the river where, with boat drawn up under enshrouding trees, green light and lapping water, sunshine and silence, rare swans sailing serenely near as if to guard them made the background to the thrill of heavenly young wonder and joy.
It was always the same.

Each pair of eyes found in the beauty of the other the same wonder and, through that which the being of each expressed, each was shaken by the same inward thrill.

Sometimes they simply sat and gazed at each other like happy amazed children scarcely able to translate their own delight.

Their very aloofness from the world--its unawareness of their story's existence made for the perfection of all they felt.
"It could not be like this if any one but ourselves even _knew_," Donal said.