‘Are you afraid of Catherine? Do you believe what she says of herself?’
‘I believe part of it. So of course I am afraid. And she does not believe even part of what we say of ourselves, and that makes me more so.’
‘Do you believe it all yourself?’
‘Well, we are known to be something surprised by ourselves.’
‘I don’t think we often are. Even less often than by other people. So we are glad that Catherine is going.’
‘Ought we to be as much surprised by ourselves as that?’
‘She sees the life she wanted, opening before her. It seems a good deal for someone who asks nothing.’
‘But we do not feel she ought not to take it,’ said Elton. ‘We should have to be too much surprised.’
‘Whom are your sorriest for in the whole sad tale?’
‘Cassius, because he is dead. Guy has lost a mother; Flavia a friend; the children have lost a father. But he has lost himself.’
‘It would not be so bad to be nothing,’ said Ursula.
‘You know that to be something would be better.’
‘Would it, with the temperament of Cassius?’
‘I will not be a person who says we cannot wish it otherwise when someone has died.’
‘Then you will be unique.’
‘Yes, I shall,’ said Elton.