It was an unutterable relief to both when the moment of the
train's starting approached.
They clasped hands warmly, and exchanged a few last requests and
promises.
'Forgive my plain speech, old fellow,' said Biffen. 'Go and be
happy!'
Then he stood alone on the platform, watching the red light on
the last carriage as the train whirled away into darkness and
storm.
CHAPTER XXXII. REARDON BECOMES PRACTICAL
Reardon had never been to Brighton, and of his own accord never
would have gone; he was prejudiced against the place because its
name has become suggestive of fashionable imbecility and the
snobbishness which tries to model itself thereon; he knew that
the town was a mere portion of London transferred to the
sea-shore, and as he loved the strand and the breakers for their
own sake, to think of them in such connection could be nothing
but a trial of his temper. Something of this species of
irritation affected him in the first part of his journey, and
disturbed the mood of kindliness with which he was approaching
Amy; but towards the end he forgot this in a growing desire to be
beside his wife in her trouble.
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