Under cover of her silence he pressed her arm closely to his side; and, as they stood at the hotel door, he felt that they had escaped from their lives and duties, escaped from home and friends and run away together with wild and radiant hearts to a new adventure.
In the cited passage from "The Dead" by James Joyce, there is a moment of intimacy and connection between two characters. As one character silently presses their arm to the other, it signifies a deep bond and shared experience. The silence between them amplifies the emotional depth of the moment as they face a world outside of their usual responsibilities.
This scene captures a sense of liberation and excitement, as they feel as if they have momentarily escaped their everyday lives. Their hearts are filled with a sense of adventure, symbolizing a longing for freedom and new experiences away from the constraints of home and social obligations.