He removed a
few of the books, and I removed the others. He sat down beside me, and,
taking my hand, said he hoped I had forgiven him, and that I would
remember that in such a little place he was obliged to be very careful,
and to be quite sure of his patients, if they were women. He trusted I
should believe that there was no other person IN THE WORLD (the emphasis
on that word!) to whom he would have ventured to impart such a secret.
I was appeased, especially when, after a few minutes' silence, he took
my hand and kissed it, the first and last kiss. He said nothing
further, and departed. The next time I saw him he was more than usually
deferential, more than ever desirous to come closer to me, and I thought
the final word must soon be spoken.
M. remained in S. till far into the autumn, but I did not see much of
her. My work had begun again. B. continued to call on me as my health
was not quite re-established. We had agreed to read the same author at
the same time, in order that we might discuss him together whilst our
impressions were still fresh.
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