Out in Saxe-Coburg Street she stood still for a moment and looked at the gardens. He kissed me, she thought. He made the move; I didn't. The thought was an overwhelming one and invested the everyday world about her, the world of the square, of trees, of people walking by, with a curious glow, a chiaroscuro which made everything precious. It was the feeling, she imagined, that one had when one vouchsafed a vision. Everything is changed, becomes more blessed, making the humblest of surroundings a holy place.
In Saxe-Coburg Street, the protagonist pauses to reflect on a recent intimate moment, where she recalls a kiss initiated by the man she is thinking about. This realization imbues her mundane surroundings—the gardens, trees, and passersby—with a newfound significance, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary and precious.
Her feelings create a striking contrast, a chiaroscuro effect on her environment, making even the simplest places seem sacred. This experience grants her a deeper appreciation for life, suggesting that moments of connection can elevate the most humble settings to a state of grace and beauty.
