Have you succeeded, that you need no help?"
"I have not succeeded."
"And if I had not come to you--if I had not met you here, you would have
failed for the last time. You would have carried with you the conviction
of her death to the moment of your own."
"It was a horrible delusion, but since it was a delusion it would have
passed away in time."
"With your life, perhaps. Who would have waked you, if I had not?"
"I was not sleeping. Why do you reason? What would you prove?"
"Much, if I knew how. Will you walk with me? It is very cold."
They had been standing where they had met. As she spoke, Unorna looked
up with an expression wholly unlike the one he had seen a few moments
earlier. Her strong will was suddenly veiled by the most gentle and
womanly manner, and a little shiver, real or feigned, passed over her as
she drew the folds of her fur more closely round her. The man before her
could resist the aggressive manifestation of her power, but he was far
too courteous to refuse her request.
"Which way?" he asked quietly.
"To the river," she answered.
He turned and took his place by her side. For some moments they walked
on in silence. It was already almost twilight.
"How short the days are!" exclaimed Unorna, rather suddenly.
"How long, even at their shortest!" replied her companion.
"They might be short--if you would."
He did not answer her, though he glanced quickly at her face.
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