Suite Francaise, part II

They were alone — they felt they were alone — in the great sleeping house.  Not a word of their true feelings was spoken; they didn’t kiss.  There was simply silence.  Silence followed by feverish, passionate conversation about their own countries, their families, music, books…They felt a strange happiness, an urgent need to reveal their hearts to each other — the urgency of lovers, which is already a gift, the very first one, the gift of the soul before the body surrenders  "Know me, look at me.  This is who I am.  This is how I have lived, this is what I have loved.  And you?  What about you my darling?"  But up until now, not a single word of love.  What was the point?

And no, I am not going to tell you what happens…