She held her hand to him, baring the wrist.  Egremont retained the hand in both his own.

‘I can tell you, you see,’ she went on, ’what I know to be the truth, that you missed the great opportunity of your life when you abandoned Thyrza.  Her love would have made of you what mine never could, even though she herself had been taken from you very soon.  I can tell you the mere truth, you see.  Dare you still ask for me?’

‘I don’t ask, Annabel.  I have your hand and I keep it.’

‘You may.  I don’t think I should ever give it to any other man.’

The night was thickening about them.

‘Shall we go up to the Head?’ Egremont asked.

‘No higher.’

She said it with a significant look, and he understood her.