The affectionate intimacy that had grown between them was new ground for both of them, but led inevitably and too quickly, to a divergence which was to become clearer only gradually. Clive had come to this point theoretically, and Maurice instinctively. First love is indeed ecstasy and agony, and having read this when I was very young, I identified with it wholeheartedly.

Clive was very much wishful thinking that Maurice would be able to understand him. He expected too much of Maurice, being so apparently offhand in asking whether he had read The Symposium, but not able/ready to explain it or himself honestly to Maurice, just assuming the text would explain everything. Clive is hard on Maurice; I'm not sure he could be any other way, as that seems to be his nature, more's the pity.