Hester frowned a little. 'Beginning of what?' 'Oh, I don't know,' said Cicely, with a shrug, 'But life is long, Mademoiselle Hester, and now they've got a common interest--outside themselves. They can talk about _things_--not feelings. Goodness!--did you hear that? William is head over ears in his new antiseptic--and look at Nelly--she's quite pink! That's what I meant by her being _horribly impersonal_. She used the word "scientific" to me, three times, when I went to see her--_Nelly_!' 'If she's impersonal, I should doubt whether William is,' said Hester drily. 'Ah, no--poor Willy!' was Cicely's musing reply. 'It's a hard time for him. I don't believe she's ever out of his mind. Or at least, she wouldn't be, if it weren't for his work. That's the blessed part--for both of them. And now you see--it gives them such a deal to talk about'--her gesture indicated the couple in front. 'It's like two sore surfaces, isn't it, that mustn't touch--you want something between.' 'All the same, William mustn't set his heart--' 'And Hester--dear old thing!--mustn't preach!' said Cicely laughing, and pinching her cousin's arm. 'What's the good of saying that, about a man like William, who knows what he wants? Of course he's set his heart, and will go on setting it. But he'll _wait_--as long as she likes.' 'It'll be a long time.' 'All right! They're neither of them Methuselahs yet. Heavens!--What are they at now? _Ambrine_!--_she's_ talking to _him_' But some deep mingled instinct, at once of sympathy with Nelly and pity for Farrell, made Hester unwilling to discuss the subject any more. George's death was too recent; peace and a happy future too remote. So she turned on Cicely. 'And please, what have you done with Herbert? I was promised a bridegroom.' 'Business!' said Cicely, sighing. 'We had hardly arrived for our week's leave, when the wretched War Office wired him to come back. He went this morning, and I wanted to go too, but--I'm not to racket just now.' Cicely blushed, and Hester, smiling, pressed her hand. 'Then you're not going to Rome?' 'Certainly I am! But one has to give occasional sops to the domestic tyrant.'