The next moment he was passing her close, walking rigidly, like a man in a trance.

He heard her rapid breathing and he felt the touch of a look darted at him from half-open eyes.

It touched his brain and his heart together.

It seemed to him to be something loud and stirring like a shout, silent and penetrating like an inspiration.

The momentum of his motion carried him past her, but an invisible force made up of surprise and curiosity and desire spun him round as soon as he had passed.
She had taken up her burden already, with the intention of pursuing her path.