Their eyes kept meeting, and with more steadfastness.  They were conscious of mutual scrutiny, and, on both sides, of changes since they last met.  When two people have devoted intense study to each other’s features, a three months’ absence not only revives the old impressions but subjects them to sudden modification which engrosses thought and feeling.  Sidwell continued to utter commonplaces, simply as a means of disguising the thoughts that occupied her; she was saying to herself that Peak’s face had a purer outline than she had believed, and that his eyes had gained in expressiveness.  In the same way Godwin said and replied he knew not what, just to give himself time to observe and enjoy the something new—­the increased animation or subtler facial movements—­which struck him as often as he looked at his companion.  Each wondered what the other had been doing, whether the time had seemed long or short.

‘I hope you have kept well?’ Sidwell asked.

Godwin hastened to respond with civil inquiries.

’I was very glad to hear from Mr. Warricombe a few days ago, he continued.  Sidwell was not aware that her father had written, but her pleased smile seemed to signify the contrary.

‘She looks younger,’ Peak said in his mind.  ’Perhaps that London dress and the new way of arranging her hair have something to do with it.  But no, she looks younger in herself.  She must have been enjoying the pleasures of town.’

‘You have been constantly occupied, no doubt,’ he added aloud, feeling at the same time that this was a clumsy expression of what he meant.  Though he had unbuttoned his overcoat, and seated himself as easily as he could, the absurd tall hat which he held embarrassed him; to deposit it on the floor demanded an effort of which he was yet incapable.

‘I have seen many things and heard much talk,’ Sidwell was replying, in a gay tone.  It irritated him; he would have preferred her to speak with more of the old pensiveness.  Yet perhaps she was glad simply because she found herself again talking with him?

‘And you?’ she went on.  ‘It has not been all work, I hope?’

‘Oh no!  I have had many pleasant intervals.’

This was in imitation of her vivacity.  He felt the words and the manner to be ridiculous, but could not restrain himself.  Every moment increased his uneasiness; the hat weighed in his hands like a lump of lead, and he was convinced that he had never looked so clownish.  Did her smile signify criticism of his attitude?

With a decision which came he knew not how, he let his hat drop to the floor and pushed it aside.  There, that was better; he felt less of a bumpkin.

Sidwell glanced at the glossy grotesque, but instantly averted her eyes, and asked rather more gravely: 

‘Have you been in Exeter all the time?’

‘Yes.’

‘But you didn’t spend your Christmas alone, I hope?’

‘Oh, I had my books.’