"It does seem possible!" he exclaimed, "though I've always thought it
the most unlikely thing in the world--I shall be in love with you all my
life, and our marriage will be the most exciting thing that's ever been
done! We'll never have a moment's peace--" He caught her in his arms as
she passed him, and they fought for mastery, imagining a rock, and the
sea heaving beneath them. At last she was thrown to the floor, where she
lay gasping, and crying for mercy.
"I'm a mermaid! I can swim," she cried, "so the game's up." Her dress
was torn across, and peace being established, she fetched a needle and
thread and began to mend the tear.
"And now," she said, "be quiet and tell me about the world; tell me
about everything that's ever happened, and I'll tell you--let me see,
what can I tell you?--I'll tell you about Miss Montgomerie and the river
party. She was left, you see, with one foot in the boat, and the other
on shore."
They had spent much time already in thus filling out for the other the
course of their past lives, and the characters of their friends and
relations, so that very soon Terence knew not only what Rachel's
aunts might be expected to say upon every occasion, but also how their
bedrooms were furnished, and what kind of bonnets they wore. He could
sustain a conversation between Mrs. Hunt and Rachel, and carry on a
tea-party including the Rev.
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