第7章

Geraldwasonthepointofknocking—inHalliday"sface;whenhewasfilledwithsuddendisgustandindifference，andhewentaway，leavingHallidayinafoolishstateofgloatingtriumph，thePussumhardandestablished，andMaximstandingclear。Birkinwasabsent，hehadgoneoutoftownagain。

GeraldwaspiquedbecausehehadleftwithoutgivingthePussummoney。

Itwastrue，shedidnotcarewhetherhegavehermoneyornot，andheknewit。Butshewouldhavebeengladoftenpounds，andhewouldhavebeenverygladtogivethemtoher。Nowhefeltinafalseposition。

Hewentawaychewinghislipstogetattheendsofhisshortclippedmoustache。

HeknewthePussumwasmerelygladtoberidofhim。ShehadgotherHallidaywhomshewanted。Shewantedhimcompletelyinherpower。Thenshewouldmarryhim。Shewantedtomarryhim。ShehadsetherwillonmarryingHalliday。

SheneverwantedtohearofGeraldagain;unless，perhaps，shewereindifficulty;becauseafterall，Geraldwaswhatshecalledaman，andtheseothers，Halliday，Libidnikov，Birkin，thewholeBohemianset，theywereonlyhalfmen。Butitwashalfmenshecoulddealwith。Shefeltsureofherselfwiththem。Therealmen，likeGerald，putherinherplacetoomuch。

Still，sherespectedGerald，shereallyrespectedhim。Shehadmanagedtogethisaddress，sothatshecouldappealtohimintimeofdistress。

Sheknewhewantedtogivehermoney。Shewouldperhapswritetohimonthatinevitablerainyday。

WomenInLove:Chapter8CHAPTERVIIIBreadalbyBREADALBYwasaGeorgianhousewithCorinthianpillars，standingamongthesofter，greenerhillsofDerbyshire，notfarfromCromford。Infront，itlookedoveralawn，overafewtrees，downtoastringoffish—pondsinthehollowofthesilentpark。Atthebackweretrees，amongwhichweretobefoundthestables，andthebigkitchengarden，behindwhichwasawood。

Itwasaveryquietplace，somemilesfromthehigh—road，backfromtheDerwentValley，outsidetheshowscenery。Silentandforsaken，thegoldenstuccoshowedbetweenthetrees，thehouse—frontlookeddownthepark，unchangedandunchanging。

Oflate，however，Hermionehadlivedagooddealatthehouse。ShehadturnedawayfromLondon，awayfromOxford，towardsthesilenceofthecountry。

Herfatherwasmostlyabsent，abroad，shewaseitheraloneinthehouse，withhervisitors，ofwhomtherewerealwaysseveral，orshehadwithherherbrother，abachelor，andaLiberalmemberofParliament。HealwayscamedownwhentheHousewasnotsitting，seemedalwaystobepresentinBreadalby，althoughhewasmostconscientiousinhisattendancetoduty。

ThesummerwasjustcominginwhenUrsulaandGudrunwenttostaythesecondtimewithHermione。Comingalonginthecar，aftertheyhadenteredthepark，theylookedacrossthedip，wherethefish—pondslayinsilence，atthepillaredfrontofthehouse，sunnyandsmalllikeanEnglishdrawingoftheoldschool，onthebrowofthegreenhill，againstthetrees。Thereweresmallfiguresonthegreenlawn，womeninlavenderandyellowmovingtotheshadeoftheenormous，beautifullybalancedcedartree。

`Isn"titcomplete！"saidGudrun。`Itisasfinalasanoldaquatint。"

Shespokewithsomeresentmentinhervoice，asifshewerecaptivatedunwillingly，asifshemustadmireagainstherwill。

`Doyouloveit？"askedUrsula。

`Idon"tloveit，butinitsway，Ithinkitisquitecomplete。"

Themotor—carrandownthehillandupagaininonebreath，andtheywerecurvingtothesidedoor。Aparlour—maidappeared，andthenHermione，comingforwardwithherpalefacelifted，andherhandsoutstretched，advancingstraighttothenew—comers，hervoicesinging:

`Hereyouare——I"msogladtoseeyou——"shekissedGudrun——`sogladtoseeyou——"shekissedUrsulaandremainedwithherarmroundher。

`Areyouverytired？"

`Notatalltired，"saidUrsula。

`Areyoutired，Gudrun？"

`Notatall，thanks，"saidGudrun。

`No——"drawledHermione。Andshestoodandlookedatthem。Thetwogirlswereembarrassedbecauseshewouldnotmoveintothehouse，butmusthaveherlittlesceneofwelcomethereonthepath。Theservantswaited。

`Comein，"saidHermioneatlast，havingfullytakeninthepairofthem。Gudrunwasthemorebeautifulandattractive，shehaddecidedagain，Ursulawasmorephysical，morewomanly。SheadmiredGudrun"sdressmore。

Itwasofgreenpoplin，withaloosecoataboveit，ofbroad，dark—greenanddark—brownstripes。Thehatwasofapale，greenishstraw，thecolourofnewhay，andithadaplaitedribbonofblackandorange，thestockingsweredarkgreen，theshoesblack。Itwasagoodget—up，atoncefashionableandindividual。Ursula，indarkblue，wasmoreordinary，thoughshealsolookedwell。

Hermioneherselfworeadressofprune—colouredsilk，withcoralbeadsandcoralcolouredstockings。Butherdresswasbothshabbyandsoiled，evenratherdirty。

`Youwouldliketoseeyourroomsnow，wouldn"tyou！Yes。Wewillgoupnow，shallwe？"

Ursulawasgladwhenshecouldbeleftaloneinherroom。Hermionelingeredsolong，madesuchastressonone。Shestoodsoneartoone，pressingherselfnearuponone，inawaythatwasmostembarrassingandoppressive。

Sheseemedtohinderone"sworkings。

Lunchwasservedonthelawn，underthegreattree，whosethick，blackishboughscamedownclosetothegrass。TherewerepresentayoungItalianwoman，slightandfashionable，ayoung，athletic—lookingMissBradley，alearned，dryBaronetoffifty，whowasalwaysmakingwitticismsandlaughingatthemheartilyinaharsh，horse—laugh，therewasRupertBirkin，andthenawomansecretary，aFrauleinMarz，youngandslimandpretty。

Thefoodwasverygood，thatwasonething。Gudrun，criticalofeverything，gaveitherfullapproval。Ursulalovedthesituation，thewhitetablebythecedartree，thescentofnewsunshine，thelittlevisionoftheleafypark，withfar—offdeerfeedingpeacefully。Thereseemedamagiccircledrawnabouttheplace，shuttingoutthepresent，enclosingthedelightful，preciouspast，treesanddeerandsilence，likeadream。

Butinspiritshewasunhappy。Thetalkwentonlikearattleofsmallartillery，alwaysslightlysententious，withasententiousnessthatwasonlyemphasisedbythecontinualcracklingofawitticism，thecontinualspatterofverbaljest，designedtogiveatoneofflippancytoastreamofconversationthatwasallcriticalandgeneral，acanalofconversationratherthanastream。

Theattitudewasmentalandverywearying。Onlytheelderlysociologist，whosementalfibrewassotoughastobeinsentient，seemedtobethoroughlyhappy。Birkinwasdowninthemouth。Hermioneappeared，withamazingpersistence，towishtoridiculehimandmakehimlookignominiousintheeyesofeverybody。

Anditwassurprisinghowsheseemedtosucceed，howhelplessheseemedagainsther。Helookedcompletelyinsignificant。UrsulaandGudrun，bothveryunused，weremostlysilent，listeningtotheslow，rhapsodicsing—songofHermione，ortheverbalsalliesofSirJoshua，ortheprattleofFraulein，ortheresponsesoftheothertwowomen。

Luncheonwasover，coffeewasbroughtoutonthegrass，thepartyleftthetableandsataboutinloungechairs，intheshadeorinthesunshineastheywished。Frauleindepartedintothehouse，Hermionetookupherembroidery，thelittleContessatookabook，MissBradleywasweavingabasketoutoffinegrass，andtheretheyallwereonthelawnintheearlysummerafternoon，workingleisurelyandspatteringwithhalf—intellectual，deliberatetalk。

Suddenlytherewasthesoundofthebrakesandtheshuttingoffofamotor—car。

`There"sSalsie！"sangHermione，inherslow，amusingsing—song。Andlayingdownherwork，sheroseslowly，andslowlypassedoverthelawn，roundthebushes，outofsight。

`Whoisit？"askedGudrun。

`MrRoddice——MissRoddice"sbrother——atleast，Isupposeit"she，"

saidSirJoshua。

`Salsie，yes，itisherbrother，"saidthelittleContessa，liftingherheadforamomentfromherbook，andspeakingasiftogiveinformation，inherslightlydeepened，gutturalEnglish。

Theyallwaited。AndthenroundthebushescamethetallformofAlexanderRoddice，stridingromanticallylikeaMeredithherowhoremembersDisraeli。

Hewascordialwitheverybody，hewasatonceahost，withaneasy，offhandhospitalitythathehadlearnedforHermione"sfriends。HehadjustcomedownfromLondon，fromtheHouse。AtoncetheatmosphereoftheHouseofCommonsmadeitselffeltoverthelawn:theHomeSecretaryhadsaidsuchandsuchathing，andhe，Roddice，ontheotherhand，thoughtsuchandsuchathing，andhadsaidso—and—sotothePM。

NowHermionecameroundthebusheswithGeraldCrich。HehadcomealongwithAlexander。Geraldwaspresentedtoeverybody，waskeptbyHermioneforafewmomentsinfullview，thenhewasledaway，stillbyHermione。

Hewasevidentlyherguestofthemoment。

TherehadbeenasplitintheCabinet;theministerforEducationhadresignedowingtoadversecriticism。Thisstartedaconversationoneducation。

`Ofcourse，"saidHermione，liftingherfacelikearhapsodist，`therecanbenoreason，noexcuseforeducation，exceptthejoyandbeautyofknowledgeinitself。"Sheseemedtorumbleandruminatewithsubterraneanthoughtsforaminute，thensheproceeded:`Vocationaleducationisn"teducation，itisthecloseofeducation。"

Gerald，onthebrinkofdiscussion，sniffedtheairwithdelightandpreparedforaction。

`Notnecessarily，"hesaid。`Butisn"teducationreallylikegymnastics，isn"ttheendofeducationtheproductionofawell—trained，vigorous，energeticmind？"

`Justasathleticsproduceahealthybody，readyforanything，"criedMissBradley，inheartyaccord。

Gudrunlookedatherinsilentloathing。

`Well——"rumbledHermione，`Idon"tknow。Tomethepleasureofknowingissogreat，sowonderful——nothinghasmeantsomuchtomeinalllife，ascertainknowledge——no，Iamsure——nothing。"

`Whatknowledge，forexample，Hermione？"askedAlexander。

Hermioneliftedherfaceandrumbled——

`M——m——m——Idon"tknow……Butonethingwasthestars，whenIreallyunderstoodsomethingaboutthestars。Onefeelssouplifted，sounbounded……"

Birkinlookedatherinawhitefury。

`Whatdoyouwanttofeelunboundedfor？"hesaidsarcastically。`Youdon"twanttobeunbounded。"

Hermionerecoiledinoffence。

`Yes，butonedoeshavethatlimitlessfeeling，"saidGerald。`It"slikegettingontopofthemountainandseeingthePacific。"

`SilentuponapeakinDariayn，"murmuredtheItalian，liftingherfaceforamomentfromherbook。

`NotnecessarilyinDariayn，"saidGerald，whileUrsulabegantolaugh。

Hermionewaitedforthedusttosettle，andthenshesaid，untouched:

`Yes，itisthegreatestthinginlife——toknow。Itisreallytobehappy，tobefree。"

`Knowledgeis，ofcourse，liberty，"saidMattheson。

`Incompressedtabloids，"saidBirkin，lookingatthedry，stifflittlebodyoftheBaronet。ImmediatelyGudrunsawthefamoussociologistasaflatbottle，containingtabloidsofcompressedliberty。Thatpleasedher。

SirJoshuawaslabelledandplacedforeverinhermind。

`Whatdoesthatmean，Rupert？"sangHermione，inacalmsnub。

`Youcanonlyhaveknowledge，strictly，"hereplied，`ofthingsconcluded，inthepast。It"slikebottlingthelibertyoflastsummerinthebottledgooseberries。"

`Canonehaveknowledgeonlyofthepast？"askedtheBaronet，pointedly。`Couldwecallourknowledgeofthelawsofgravitationforinstance，knowledgeofthepast？"

`Yes，"saidBirkin。

`Thereisamostbeautifulthinginmybook，"suddenlypipedthelittleItalianwoman。`Itsaysthemancametothedoorandthrewhiseyesdownthestreet。"

Therewasagenerallaughinthecompany。MissBradleywentandlookedovertheshoulderoftheContessa。

`See！"saidtheContessa。

`Bazarovcametothedoorandthrewhiseyeshurriedlydownthestreet，"

sheread。

Againtherewasaloudlaugh，themoststartlingofwhichwastheBaronet"s，whichrattledoutlikeaclatteroffallingstones。

`Whatisthebook？"askedAlexander，promptly。

`FathersandSons，byTurgenev，"saidthelittleforeigner，pronouncingeverysyllabledistinctly。Shelookedatthecover，toverifyherself。

`AnoldAmericanedition，"saidBirkin。

`Ha！——ofcourse——translatedfromtheFrench，"saidAlexander，withafinedeclamatoryvoice。`Bazarovouvralaporteetjetalesyeuxdanslarue。"

Helookedbrightlyroundthecompany。

`Iwonderwhatthe"hurriedly"was，"saidUrsula。

Theyallbegantoguess。

Andthen，totheamazementofeverybody，themaidcamehurryingwithalargetea—tray。Theafternoonhadpassedsoswiftly。

Aftertea，theywereallgatheredforawalk。

`Wouldyouliketocomeforawalk？"saidHermionetoeachofthem，onebyone。Andtheyallsaidyes，feelingsomehowlikeprisonersmarshalledforexercise。Birkinonlyrefused。

`Willyoucomeforawalk，Rupert？"

`No，Hermione。"

`Butareyousure？"

`Quitesure。"Therewasasecond"shesitation。

`Andwhynot？"sangHermione"squestion。Itmadeherbloodrunsharp，tobethwartedinevensotriflingamatter。Sheintendedthemalltowalkwithherinthepark。

`BecauseIdon"tliketroopingoffinagang，"hesaid。

Hervoicerumbledinherthroatforamoment。Thenshesaid，withacuriousstraycalm:

`Thenwe"llleavealittleboybehind，ifhe"ssulky。"

Andshelookedreallygay，whilesheinsultedhim。Butitmerelymadehimstiff。

Shetrailedofftotherestofthecompany，onlyturningtowaveherhandkerchieftohim，andtochucklewithlaughter，singingout:

`Good—bye，good—bye，littleboy。"

`Good—bye，impudenthag，"hesaidtohimself。

Theyallwentthroughthepark。Hermionewantedtoshowthemthewilddaffodilsonalittleslope。`Thisway，thisway，"sangherleisurelyvoiceatintervals。Andtheyhadalltocomethisway。Thedaffodilswerepretty，butwhocouldseethem？Ursulawasstiffalloverwithresentmentbythistime，resentmentofthewholeatmosphere。Gudrun，mockingandobjective，watchedandregisteredeverything。

Theylookedattheshydeer，andHermionetalkedtothestag，asifhetoowereaboyshewantedtowheedleandfondle。Hewasmale，soshemustexertsomekindofpoweroverhim。Theytrailedhomebythefish—ponds，andHermionetoldthemaboutthequarreloftwomaleswans，whohadstrivenfortheloveoftheonelady。Shechuckledandlaughedasshetoldhowtheoustedloverhadsatwithhisheadburiedunderhiswing，onthegravel。

Whentheyarrivedbackatthehouse，Hermionestoodonthelawnandsangout，inastrange，small，highvoicethatcarriedveryfar:

`Rupert！Rupert！"Thefirstsyllablewashighandslow，theseconddroppeddown。`Roo—o—opert。"

Buttherewasnoanswer。Amaidappeared。

`WhereisMrBirkin，Alice？"askedthemildstrayingvoiceofHermione。

Butunderthestrayingvoice，whatapersistent，almostinsanewill！

`Ithinkhe"sinhisroom，madam。"

`Ishe？"

Hermionewentslowlyupthestairs，alongthecorridor，singingoutinherhigh，smallcall:

`Ru—oo—pert！Ru—oopert！"

Shecametohisdoor，andtapped，stillcrying:`Roo—pert。"

`Yes，"soundedhisvoiceatlast。

`Whatareyoudoing？"

Thequestionwasmildandcurious。

Therewasnoanswer。Thenheopenedthedoor。

`We"vecomeback，"saidHermione。`Thedaffodilsaresobeautiful。"

`Yes，"hesaid，`I"veseenthem。"

Shelookedathimwithherlong，slow，impassivelook，alonghercheeks。

`Haveyou？"sheechoed。Andsheremainedlookingathim。Shewasstimulatedaboveallthingsbythisconflictwithhim，whenhewaslikeasulkyboy，helpless，andshehadhimsafeatBreadalby。Butunderneathsheknewthesplitwascoming，andherhatredofhimwassubconsciousandintense。

`Whatwereyoudoing？"shereiterated，inhermild，indifferenttone。

Hedidnotanswer，andshemadeherway，almostunconsciouslyintohisroom。HehadtakenaChinesedrawingofgeesefromtheboudoir，andwascopyingit，withmuchskillandvividness。

`Youarecopyingthedrawing，"shesaid，standingnearthetable，andlookingdownathiswork。`Yes。Howbeautifullyyoudoit！Youlikeitverymuch，don"tyou？"

`It"samarvellousdrawing，"hesaid。

`Isit？I"msogladyoulikeit，becauseI"vealwaysbeenfondofit。

TheChineseAmbassadorgaveitme。"

`Iknow，"hesaid。

`Butwhydoyoucopyit？"sheasked，casualandsing—song。`Whynotdosomethingoriginal？"

`Iwanttoknowit，"hereplied。`OnegetsmoreofChina，copyingthispicture，thanreadingallthebooks。"

`Andwhatdoyouget？"

Shewasatonceroused，shelaidasitwereviolenthandsonhim，toextracthissecretsfromhim。Shemustknow。Itwasadreadfultyranny，anobsessioninher，toknowallheknew。Forsometimehewassilent，hatingtoanswerher。Then，compelled，hebegan:

`Iknowwhatcentrestheylivefrom——whattheyperceiveandfeel——

thehot，stingingcentralityofagooseinthefluxofcoldwaterandmud——thecuriousbitterstingingheatofagoose"sblood，enteringtheirownbloodlikeaninoculationofcorruptivefire——fireofthecold—burningmud——thelotusmystery。"

Hermionelookedathimalonghernarrow，pallidcheeks。Hereyeswerestrangeanddrugged，heavyundertheirheavy，droopinglids。Herthinbosomshruggedconvulsively。Hestaredbackather，devilishandunchanging。

Withanotherstrange，sickconvulsion，sheturnedaway，asifsheweresick，couldfeeldissolutionsetting—ininherbody。Forwithhermindshewasunabletoattendtohiswords，hecaughther，asitwere，beneathallherdefences，anddestroyedherwithsomeinsidiousoccultpotency。

`Yes，"shesaid，asifshedidnotknowwhatsheweresaying。`Yes，"

andsheswallowed，andtriedtoregainhermind。Butshecouldnot，shewaswitless，decentralised。Useallherwillasshemight，shecouldnotrecover。Shesufferedtheghastlinessofdissolution，brokenandgoneinahorriblecorruption。Andhestoodandlookedatherunmoved。Shestrayedout，pallidandpreyed—uponlikeaghost，likeoneattackedbythetomb—influenceswhichdogus。Andshewasgonelikeacorpse，thathasnopresence，noconnection。Heremainedhardandvindictive。

Hermionecamedowntodinnerstrangeandsepulchral，hereyesheavyandfullofsepulchraldarkness，strength。Shehadputonadressofstiffoldgreenishbrocade，thatfittedtightandmadeherlooktallandratherterrible，ghastly。Inthegaylightofthedrawing—roomshewasuncannyandoppressive。Butseatedinthehalf—lightofthediningroom，sittingstifflybeforetheshadedcandlesonthetable，sheseemedapower，apresence。

Shelistenedandattendedwithadruggedattention。

Thepartywasgayandextravagantinappearance，everybodyhadputoneveningdressexceptBirkinandJoshuaMattheson。ThelittleItalianContessaworeadressoftissue，oforangeandgoldandblackvelvetinsoftwidestripes，Gudrunwasemeraldgreenwithstrangenet—work，Ursulawasinyellowwithdullsilverveiling，MissBradleywasofgrey，crimsonandjet，FrauleinMarzworepaleblue。ItgaveHermioneasuddenconvulsivesensationofpleasure，toseetheserichcoloursunderthecandle—light。

Shewasawareofthetalkgoingon，ceaselessly，Joshua"svoicedominating;

oftheceaselesspitter—patterofwomen"slightlaughterandresponses;

ofthebrilliantcoloursandthewhitetableandtheshadowaboveandbelow;

andsheseemedinaswoonofgratification，convulsedwithpleasureandyetsick，likearevenant。Shetookverylittlepartintheconversation，yetshehearditall，itwasallhers。

Theyallwenttogetherintothedrawing—room，asiftheywereonefamily，easily，withoutanyattentiontoceremony。Frauleinhandedthecoffee，everybodysmokedcigarettes，orelselongwardenpipesofwhiteclay，ofwhichasheafwasprovided。

`Willyousmoke？——cigarettesorpipe？"askedFrauleinprettily。Therewasacircleofpeople，SirJoshuawithhiseighteenth—centuryappearance，Geraldtheamused，handsomeyoungEnglishman，Alexandertallandthehandsomepolitician，democraticandlucid，HermionestrangelikealongCassandra，andthewomenluridwithcolour，alldutifullysmokingtheirlongwhitepipes，andsittinginahalf—mooninthecomfortable，soft—lighteddrawing—room，roundthelogsthatflickeredonthemarblehearth。

Thetalkwasveryoftenpoliticalorsociological，andinteresting，curiouslyanarchistic。Therewasanaccumulationofpowerfulforceintheroom，powerfulanddestructive。Everythingseemedtobethrownintothemeltingpot，anditseemedtoUrsulatheywereallwitches，helpingthepottobubble。Therewasanelationandasatisfactioninitall，butitwascruellyexhaustingforthenew—comers，thisruthlessmentalpressure，thispowerful，consuming，destructivementalitythatemanatedfromJoshuaandHermioneandBirkinanddominatedtherest。

Butasickness，afearfulnauseagatheredpossessionofHermione。Therewasalullinthetalk，asitwasarrestedbyherunconsciousbutall—powerfulwill。

`Salsie，won"tyouplaysomething？"saidHermione，breakingoffcompletely。

`Won"tsomebodydance？Gudrun，youwilldance，won"tyou？Iwishyouwould。

Anchetu，Palestra，ballerai？——si，perpiacere。Youtoo，Ursula。"

Hermioneroseandslowlypulledthegold—embroideredbandthathungbythemantel，clingingtoitforamoment，thenreleasingitsuddenly。

Likeapriestessshelooked，unconscious，sunkinaheavyhalf—trance。

Aservantcame，andsoonreappearedwitharmfulsofsilkrobesandshawlsandscarves，mostlyoriental，thingsthatHermione，withherloveforbeautifulextravagantdress，hadcollectedgradually。

`Thethreewomenwilldancetogether，"shesaid。

`Whatshallitbe？"askedAlexander，risingbriskly。

`VerginiDelleRocchette，"saidtheContessaatonce。

`Theyaresolanguid，"saidUrsula。

`ThethreewitchesfromMacbeth，"suggestedFrauleinusefully。ItwasfinallydecidedtodoNaomiandRuthandOrpah。UrsulawasNaomi，GudrunwasRuth，theContessawasOrpah。Theideawastomakealittleballet，inthestyleoftheRussianBalletofPavlovaandNijinsky。

TheContessawasreadyfirst，Alexanderwenttothepiano，aspacewascleared。Orpah，inbeautifulorientalclothes，beganslowlytodancethedeathofherhusband。ThenRuthcame，andtheywepttogether，andlamented，thenNaomicametocomfortthem。Itwasalldoneindumbshow，thewomendancedtheiremotioningestureandmotion。Thelittledramawentonforaquarterofanhour。

UrsulawasbeautifulasNaomi。Allhermenweredead，itremainedtoheronlytostandaloneinindomitableassertion，demandingnothing。Ruth，woman—loving，lovedher。Orpah，avivid，sensational，subtlewidow，wouldgobacktotheformerlife，arepetition。Theinterplaybetweenthewomenwasrealandratherfrightening。ItwasstrangetoseehowGudrunclungwithheavy，desperatepassiontoUrsula，yetsmiledwithsubtlemalevolenceagainsther，howUrsulaacceptedsilently，unabletoprovideanymoreeitherforherselforfortheother，butdangerousandindomitable，refutinghergrief。

Hermionelovedtowatch。ShecouldseetheContessa"srapid，stoat—likesensationalism，Gudrun"sultimatebuttreacherouscleavingtothewomaninhersister，Ursula"sdangeroushelplessness，asifshewerehelplesslyweighted，andunreleased。

`Thatwasverybeautiful，"everybodycriedwithoneaccord。ButHermionewrithedinhersoul，knowingwhatshecouldnotknow。Shecriedoutformoredancing，anditwasherwillthatsettheContessaandBirkinmovingmockinglyinMalbrouk。

GeraldwasexcitedbythedesperatecleavingofGudruntoNaomi。Theessenceofthatfemale，subterraneanrecklessnessandmockerypenetratedhisblood。HecouldnotforgetGudrun"slifted，offered，cleaving，reckless，yetwithalmockingweight。AndBirkin，watchinglikeahermitcrabfromitshole，hadseenthebrilliantfrustrationandhelplessnessofUrsula。

Shewasrich，fullofdangerouspower。Shewaslikeastrangeunconsciousbudofpowerfulwomanhood。Hewasunconsciouslydrawntoher。Shewashisfuture。

AlexanderplayedsomeHungarianmusic，andtheyalldanced，seizedbythespirit。Geraldwasmarvellouslyexhilaratedatfindinghimselfinmotion，movingtowardsGudrun，dancingwithfeetthatcouldnotyetescapefromthewaltzandthetwo—step，butfeelinghisforcestiralonghislimbsandhisbody，outofcaptivity。Hedidnotknowyethowtodancetheirconvulsive，rag—timesortofdancing，butheknewhowtobegin。Birkin，whenhecouldgetfreefromtheweightofthepeoplepresent，whomhedisliked，dancedrapidlyandwitharealgaiety。AndhowHermionehatedhimforthisirresponsiblegaiety。

`NowIsee，"criedtheContessaexcitedly，watchinghispurelygaymotion，whichhehadalltohimself。`MrBirkin，heisachanger。"

Hermionelookedatherslowly，andshuddered，knowingthatonlyaforeignercouldhaveseenandhavesaidthis。

`Cosavuol"dire，Palestra？"sheasked，sing—song。

`Look，"saidtheContessa，inItalian。`Heisnotaman，heisachameleon，acreatureofchange。"

`Heisnotaman，heistreacherous，notoneofus，"saiditselfoverinHermione"sconsciousness。Andhersoulwrithedintheblacksubjugationtohim，becauseofhispowertoescape，toexist，otherthanshedid，becausehewasnotconsistent，notaman，lessthanaman。Shehatedhiminadespairthatshatteredherandbrokeherdown，sothatshesufferedsheerdissolutionlikeacorpse，andwasunconsciousofeverythingsavethehorriblesicknessofdissolutionthatwastakingplacewithinher，bodyandsoul。

Thehousebeingfull，Geraldwasgiventhesmallerroom，reallythedressing—room，communicatingwithBirkin"sbedroom。Whentheyalltooktheircandlesandmountedthestairs，wherethelampswereburningsubduedly，HermionecapturedUrsulaandbroughtherintoherownbedroom，totalktoher。AsortofconstraintcameoverUrsulainthebig，strangebedroom。