Although he longed to see Louise, and to see Aleph, he increasingly lacked the will to go.

As he rose to go and held Louise's hand and gazed at her he felt for a moment his old love for her taking possession of his whole being. They looked at each other. I feed upon this looking, thought Clement, but does she? I don't know, and I cannot ask. I am terrified of saying something which would wound our whole precious relationship. We are well as we are. I love her, that's all, that is my drama.

Lately Louise had decided to give up wearing make-up altogether, but had not yet acted upon the decision.

The problems were too evident, they sat together eyeing them in silence. The stage now belonged to the young people, there would be happenings. Yet nothing happened; and Clement felt as if a magic spell had paralysed them all.

I can't see how anything can ever happen to us — I mean, I feel as if, if we leave this place, we shall crumble to pieces.