A Room with a View

The Novel’s Revelation and the Second Kiss

Lucy asks George about his mother, recalling that according to Mr. Eager she was murdered in the sight of God, but George once mentioned she could see as far as Hindhead—her first memory. Cecil closes the novel with a bang, making Lucy jump. He refuses to read further while George is present to “entertain” them. Lucy cleverly suggests reading silly things aloud is enjoyable, implying George can leave if he thinks them frivolous. This pleases Cecil by putting George in the position of a prig. Lucy opens the book and Cecil asks for chapter two. She glances at the opening sentences and realizes the novel contains a scene that matches her secret encounter with George in Florence—Miss Lavish has somehow printed their past in draggled prose. Lucy hands the book back with trembling hands, insisting it isn’t worth reading, calling it rubbish. Cecil reads aloud the passage describing Leonora sitting alone in Tuscany, carpeted with violets, with Florence visible in the distance—precisely where George kissed Lucy in the Loggia. George reads the passage about Antonio stealing up behind her and enfolding her in his “manly arms.” Cecil, oblivious, turns pages looking for a funnier passage. Lucy turns to George and sees his face. She manages to say they should go in to tea. She leads the way up the garden with Cecil following and George last. She thinks a disaster has been averted, but in the shrubbery, Cecil realizes he has forgotten the book and goes back for it. George, who loves passionately, blunders against Lucy in the narrow path. She gasps “No—” and for the second time is kissed by him. He slips back, Cecil rejoins her, and they reach the upper lawn alone.