Presently there were voices beneath them--climbing voices that came nearer--of a man and a woman. Nelly's hand begun to pluck restlessly at the grass beside her.
Cicely emerged first, Cicely in white, very bridal, and very happy. Very conscious too, though she did not betray it by a movement or a look, of the significance of this first meeting, since Sarratt's death, between her brother and Nelly. But they met very simply. Nelly went a little way down the steep to meet them. She kissed Cicely, and gave Farrell her hand.
But then it seemed to Hester, who could not help watching it, that Nelly's face, as she stood there looking gravely at Farrell, shewed a sudden trouble and agitation. It was gone very quickly, however, and she and he walked on together along a green path skirting the fells, and winding through the daffodils and the hawthorns.
Cicely and Hester followed, soon perceiving that the two ahead had slipped into animated conversation.
'What can it be about?' said Cicely, in Hester's ear.
'I heard the word "Charcot,"' said Hester.
'And William's talking about an article in the _Lancet_ he's been boring Herbert and me with, by that very specialist that Nelly's so keen about,--the man that is going to have her trained to nurse his cases. Something about the new treatment of "shock." I say, Hester, what an odd sort of fresh beginning!'
Cicely turned a look half grave, half laughing on her companion--adding hastily--
'Oh, I don't know,' said Cicely, with a shrug, 'But life is long, Mademoiselle Hester, and now they've got a common interest--outside themselves. They can talk about _things_--not feelings. Goodness!--did you hear that? William is head over ears in his new antiseptic--and look at Nelly--she's quite pink! That's what I meant by her being _horribly impersonal_. She used the word "scientific" to me, three times, when I went to see her--_Nelly_!'
'If she's impersonal, I should doubt whether William is,' said Hester drily.
'Ah, no--poor Willy!' was Cicely's musing reply. 'It's a hard time for him. I don't believe she's ever out of his mind. Or at least, she wouldn't be, if it weren't for his work. That's the blessed part--for both of them. And now you see--it gives them such a deal to talk about'--her gesture indicated the couple in front. 'It's like two sore surfaces, isn't it, that mustn't touch--you want something between.'