Oh! Peter I love you so much that you
_must_ listen. You mustn't think afterwards, ah, if I'd only known--"
"Aren't you making too much of it all? We've all got these things and it's
just because we can help each other that we marry. We give each the
courage--"
"I've always been frightened," she said slowly, "always when anything big
comes along--always. And this is the biggest thing I've ever met. If only
it had been some ordinary man ... but you, Peter, that I should hurt
_you_."
"You won't hurt me," he answered her, "and I'd rather be hurt by you than
helped by some one else--let's leave all this. If you love me, there's
nothing else to say.... Do you love me, Clare?"
"Yes, Peter."
Then suddenly before he could move towards her a storm that had been
creeping upon them, burst over their heads. Five minutes ago there had been
no sign of anything but the finest weather, but, in a moment the black
clouds had rolled up and the thunder broke, clashing upon the world. The
sea had vanished.
"We must run for it," cried Peter, raising his voice against the storm.
"That cottage over there--it's the only place."
They ran. The common was black now--the rain drove hissing, against the
soil, the air was hot with the faint sulphur smell.
Peter flung himself upon the cottage door and Clare followed him in. For a
moment they stood, breathless.
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