`But isn't that a half-measure?' asked Ursula at length.

`I don't think so,' he said. `You'll be able to tell me if it is.'

Again there was a pause of some minutes' duration. He was thinking.

`One must throw everything away, everything -- let everything go, to get the one last thing one wants,' he said.

`What thing?' she asked in challenge.

`I don't know -- freedom together,' he said.

She had wanted him to say `love.'

There was heard a loud barking of the dogs below. He seemed disturbed by it. She did not notice. Only she thought he seemed uneasy.

`As a matter of fact,' he said, in rather a small voice, `I believe that is Hermione come now, with Gerald Crich. She wanted to see the rooms before they are furnished.'

`I know,' said Ursula. `She will superintend the furnishing for you.'

`Probably. Does it matter?'

`Oh no, I should think not,' said Ursula. `Though personally, I can't bear her. I think she is a lie, if you like, you who are always talking about lies.' Then she ruminated for a moment, when she broke out: `Yes, and I do mind if she furnishes your rooms -- I do mind. I mind that you keep her hanging on at all.'

He was silent now, frowning.

`Perhaps,' he said. `I don't want her to furnish the rooms here -- and I don't keep her hanging on. Only, I needn't be churlish to her, need I? At any rate, I shall have to go down and see them now. You'll come, won't you?'

`I don't think so,' she said coldly and irresolutely.

`Won't you? Yes do. Come and see the rooms as well. Do come.'