she said, ‘at that lovely star up there. Do you know its name?’

He crouched beside her, to look through the low window.

‘No,’ he said. ‘It is very fine.’

‘ISN’T it beautiful! Do you notice how it darts different coloured fires — it flashes really superbly — ’

They remained in silence. With a mute, heavy gesture she put her hand on his knee, and took his hand.

‘Are you regretting Ursula?’ he asked.

‘No, not at all,’ she said. Then, in a slow mood, she asked:

‘How much do you love me?’