shrubs, and having a winding path up it, said languidly—
"This is a bore. Shall we go up there?"
"Oh, certainly—since we are exploring," said Gwendolen. She was rather pleased, and yet afraid.
The path was too narrow for him to offer his arm, and they walked up in silence. When they were on the bit of platform at the summit Grandcourt said—
"There is nothing to be seen here: the thing was not worth climbing."
How was it that Gwendolen did not laugh? She was perfectly silent, holding up the folds of her robe like a statue, and giving a harder grasp to the handle of her whip, which she had snatched up automatically with her hat when they had first set off.
"What sort of place do you like?" said Grandcourt.
"Different places are agreeable in their way. On the whole, I think, I prefer places that are open and cheerful. I am not fond of anything sombre."
"Your place at Offendene is too sombre."
"It is, rather."
"You will not remain there long, I hope."
