It was exactly the silence ensuing on the retreat of the servant and the closed door that marked between him and his hostess the degree of this ease.

They met, as it were, twice: the first time while the servant was there and the second as soon as he was not.

The difference was great between the two encounters, though we must add in justice to the second that its marks were at first mainly negative.

This communion consisted only in their having drawn each other for a minute as close as possible--as possible, that is, with no help but the full clasp of hands.

Thus they were mutually held, and the closeness was at any rate such that, for a little, though it took account of dangers, it did without words.