Save for a word or two, the watchman might have overheard and trumpeted his report of their interview at Diana’s house.  After the first pained breathing, when they found themselves alone in that room where they had plighted their fortunes, they talked allusively to define the terms imposed on them by Reason.  The thwarted step was unmentioned; it was a past madness.  But Wisdom being recognized, they could meet.  It would be hard if that were denied!  They talked very little of their position; both understood the mutual acceptance of it; and now that he had seen her and was again under the spell, Dacier’s rational mind, together with his delight in her presence, compelled him honourably to bow to the terms.  Only, as these were severe upon lovers, the innocence of their meetings demanded indemnification in frequency.

‘Come whenever you think I can be useful,’ said Diana.

They pressed hands at parting, firmly and briefly, not for the ordinary dactylology of lovers, but in sign of the treaty of amity.

She soon learnt that she had tied herself to her costly household.

CHAPTER XXVIII

Dialogue round the subject of A portrait, with some indications of the task for Diana

An enamoured Egeria who is not a princess in her worldly state nor a goddess by origin has to play one of those parts which strain the woman’s faculties past naturalness.  She must never expose her feelings to her lover; she must make her counsel weighty—­otherwise she is little his nymph of the pure wells, and what she soon may be, the world will say.  She has also, most imperatively, to dazzle him without the betrayal of artifice, where simple spontaneousness is beyond conjuring.  But feelings that are constrained becloud the judgement besides arresting the fine jet of delivery wherewith the mastered lover is taught through his ears to think himself prompted, and submit to be controlled, by a creature super-feminine.  She must make her counsel so weighty in poignant praises as to repress impulses that would rouse her own; and her betraying impulsiveness was a subject of reflection to Diana after she had given Percy Dacier, metaphorically, the key of her house.  Only as true Egeria could she receive him.  She was therefore grateful, she thanked and venerated this noblest of lovers for his not pressing to the word of love, and so strengthening her to point his mind, freshen his moral energies and inspirit him.  His chivalrous acceptance of the conditions of their renewed intimacy was a radiant knightliness to Diana, elevating her with a living image for worship:—­he so near once to being the absolute lord of her destinies!  How to reward him, was her sole dangerous thought.  She prayed and strove that she might give him of her best, to practically help him; and she had reason to suppose