William De Morgan

Alice-for-Short: a Dichronism

1907. Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1919.

He turned to walk back along the broad walk. The gate was closing; but he was allowed to pass if he would promise to go straight across, and not keep the gate-closing back. He walked on through the almost deserted Park, shouts of "All out!" reaching him from wandering guardians, and the beasts in the Zoological Gardens seeming to echo their injunctions. No wonder, Charles thought, if it is true that they are allowed out on parole in the empty Park, at night, as the story goes!

Disconcerted by his feelings for the beautiful artist's model who has been sitting for his "Lear and Cordelia", Charles has abandoned work in his studio and gone to think things over in the park. 'It contributed to the melancholy and fostered it to dream of the days when there were May trees over there in Marylebone Fields'.

In order to lengthen out his walk in the silence of the Park, now moonlit and enjoyable, and at the same time to keep faith with the authorities, he made for Hanover Gate, instead of keeping on the broad walk. A belated workman or two, and a park-keeper who said "All out!" sternly and reproachfully, were all the folk he saw until he drew near the bridge over the Ornamental Water. Then he became aware that there was a woman behind him, following at no great distance; but still near enough to give the impression that she was following...He quickened his pace, realising that a prowler of the class he supposed her to belong to would see in this a hint that her society was not coveted

But Charles is mistaken, and subsequent events plunge him into an even greater emotional turmoil.