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I.]
THE EUROPEANS.
31
delightfully cool and had the added charm that—in the softly sounding pine-boughs—you seemed to hear the coolness as well as feel it. Felix and Gertrude sat down on the rust-coloured carpet of pine-needles and talked of many things. Felix spoke at last, in the course of talk, of his going away; it was the first time he had alluded to it.
"You are going away? "said Gertrude, looking at him.
"Some day—when the leaves begin to fall. You know I can't stay for ever."
Gertrude transferred her eyes to the outer prospect, and then, after a pause, she said, "I shall never see you again."
"Why not?" asked Felix. "We shall probably both survive my departure."
