第9章

Thenswiftly，inaflamethatdrencheddownherbodylikefluidlightningandgaveheraperfect，unutterableconsummation，unutterablesatisfaction，shebroughtdowntheballofjewelstonewithallherforce，crashonhishead。Butherfingerswereinthewayanddeadenedtheblow。Nevertheless，downwenthisheadonthetableonwhichhisbooklay，thestoneslidasideandoverhisear，itwasoneconvulsionofpureblissforher，litupbythecrushedpainofherfingers。Butitwasnotsomehowcomplete。Sheliftedherarmhightoaimoncemore，straightdownontheheadthatlaydazedonthetable。Shemustsmashit，itmustbesmashedbeforeherecstasywasconsummated，fulfilledforever。Athousandlives，athousanddeathsmatterednothingnow，onlythefulfilmentofthisperfectecstasy。

Shewasnotswift，shecouldonlymoveslowly。Astrongspiritinhimwokehimandmadehimlifthisfaceandtwisttolookather。Herarmwasraised，thehandclaspingtheballoflapislazuli。Itwasherlefthand，herealisedagainwithhorrorthatshewasleft—handed。Hurriedly，withaburrowingmotion，hecoveredhisheadunderthethickvolumeofThucydides，andtheblowcamedown，almostbreakinghisneck，andshatteringhisheart。

Hewasshattered，buthewasnotafraid。Twistingroundtofaceherhepushedthetableoverandgotawayfromher。Hewaslikeaflaskthatissmashedtoatoms，heseemedtohimselfthathewasallfragments，smashedtobits。Yethismovementswereperfectlycoherentandclear，hissoulwasentireandunsurprised。

`Noyoudon"t，Hermione，"hesaidinalowvoice。`Idon"tletyou。"

Hesawherstandingtallandlividandattentive，thestoneclenchedtenseinherhand。

`Standawayandletmego，"hesaid，drawingneartoher。

Asifpressedbackbysomehand，shestoodaway，watchinghimallthetimewithoutchanging，likeaneutralisedangelconfrontinghim。

`Itisnotgood，"hesaid，whenhehadgonepasther。`Itisn"tIwhowilldie。Youhear？"

Hekepthisfacetoherashewentout，lestsheshouldstrikeagain。

Whilehewasonhisguard，shedarednotmove。Andhewasonhisguard，shewaspowerless。Sohehadgone，andleftherstanding。

Sheremainedperfectlyrigid，standingasshewasforalongtime。Thenshestaggeredtothecouchandlaydown，andwentheavilytosleep。Whensheawoke，sherememberedwhatshehaddone，butitseemedtoher，shehadonlyhithim，asanywomanmightdo，becausehetorturedher。Shewasperfectlyright。Sheknewthat，spiritually，shewasright。Inherowninfalliblepurity，shehaddonewhatmustbedone。Shewasright，shewaspure。Adrugged，almostsinisterreligiousexpressionbecamepermanentonherface。

Birkin，barelyconscious，andyetperfectlydirectinhismotion，wentoutofthehouseandstraightacrossthepark，totheopencountry，tothehills。Thebrilliantdayhadbecomeovercast，spotsofrainwerefalling。

Hewanderedontoawildvalley—side，wherewerethicketsofhazel，manyflowers，tuftsofheather，andlittleclumpsofyoungfirtrees，buddingwithsoftpaws。Itwasratherweteverywhere，therewasastreamrunningdownatthebottomofthevalley，whichwasgloomy，orseemedgloomy。Hewasawarethathecouldnotregainhisconsciousness，thathewasmovinginasortofdarkness。

Yethewantedsomething。Hewashappyinthewethillside，thatwasovergrownandobscurewithbushesandflowers。Hewantedtotouchthemall，tosaturatehimselfwiththetouchofthemall。Hetookoffhisclothes，andsatdownnakedamongtheprimroses，movinghisfeetsoftlyamongtheprimroses，hislegs，hisknees，hisarmsrightuptothearm—pits，lyingdownandlettingthemtouchhisbelly，hisbreasts。Itwassuchafine，cool，subtletouchalloverhim，heseemedtosaturatehimselfwiththeircontact。

Buttheyweretoosoft。Hewentthroughthelonggrasstoaclumpofyoungfir—trees，thatwerenohigherthanaman。Thesoftsharpboughsbeatuponhim，ashemovedinkeenpangsagainstthem，threwlittlecoldshowersofdropsonhisbelly，andbeathisloinswiththeirclustersofsoft—sharpneedles。Therewasathistlewhichprickedhimvividly，butnottoomuch，becauseallhismovementsweretoodiscriminateandsoft。

Toliedownandrollinthesticky，coolyounghyacinths，tolieonone"sbellyandcoverone"sbackwithhandfulsoffinewetgrass，softasabreath，softandmoredelicateandmorebeautifulthanthetouchofanywoman;

andthentostingone"sthighagainstthelivingdarkbristlesofthefir—boughs;

andthentofeelthelightwhipofthehazelonone"sshoulders，stinging，andthentoclaspthesilverybirch—trunkagainstone"sbreast，itssmoothness，itshardness，itsvitalknotsandridges——thiswasgood，thiswasallverygood，verysatisfying。Nothingelsewoulddo，nothingelsewouldsatisfy，exceptthiscoolnessandsubtletyofvegetationtravellingintoone"sblood。

Howfortunatehewas，thattherewasthislovely，subtle，responsivevegetation，waitingforhim，ashewaitedforit;howfulfilledhewas，howhappy！

Ashedriedhimselfalittlewithhishandkerchief，hethoughtaboutHermioneandtheblow。Hecouldfeelapainonthesideofhishead。Butafterall，whatdiditmatter？WhatdidHermionematter，whatdidpeoplematteraltogether？Therewasthisperfectcoolloneliness，solovelyandfreshandunexplored。Really，whatamistakehehadmade，thinkinghewantedpeople，thinkinghewantedawoman。Hedidnotwantawoman——notintheleast。Theleavesandtheprimrosesandthetrees，theywerereallylovelyandcoolanddesirable，theyreallycameintothebloodandwereaddedontohim。Hewasenrichenednowimmeasurably，andsoglad。

ItwasquiterightofHermionetowanttokillhim。Whathadhetodowithher？Whyshouldhepretendtohaveanythingtodowithhumanbeingsatall？Herewashisworld，hewantednobodyandnothingbutthelovely，subtle，responsivevegetation，andhimself，hisownlivingself。

Itwasnecessarytogobackintotheworld。Thatwastrue。Butthatdidnotmatter，sooneknewwhereonebelonged。Heknewnowwherehebelonged。

Thiswashisplace，hismarriageplace。Theworldwasextraneous。

Heclimbedoutofthevalley，wonderingifheweremad。Butifso，hepreferredhisownmadness，totheregularsanity。Herejoicedinhisownmadness，hewasfree。Hedidnotwantthatoldsanityoftheworld，whichwasbecomesorepulsive。Herejoicedinthenew—foundworldofhismadness。

Itwassofreshanddelicateandsosatisfying。

Asforthecertaingriefhefeltatthesametime，inhissoul，thatwasonlytheremainsofanoldethic，thatbadeahumanbeingadheretohumanity。Buthewaswearyoftheoldethic，ofthehumanbeing，andofhumanity。Helovednowthesoft，delicatevegetation，thatwassocoolandperfect。Hewouldoverlooktheoldgrief，hewouldputawaytheoldethic，hewouldbefreeinhisnewstate。

Hewasawareofthepaininhisheadbecomingmoreandmoredifficulteveryminute。Hewaswalkingnowalongtheroadtotheneareststation。

Itwasrainingandhehadnohat。Butthenplentyofcrankswentoutnowadayswithouthats，intherain。

Hewonderedagainhowmuchofhisheavinessofheart，acertaindepression，wasduetofear，fearlestanybodyshouldhaveseenhimnakedlyingagainstthevegetation。Whatadreadhehadofmankind，ofotherpeople！Itamountedalmosttohorror，toasortofdreamterror——hishorrorofbeingobservedbysomeotherpeople。Ifhewereonanisland，likeAlexanderSelkirk，withonlythecreaturesandthetrees，hewouldbefreeandglad，therewouldbenoneofthisheaviness，thismisgiving。Hecouldlovethevegetationandbequitehappyandunquestioned，byhimself。

HehadbettersendanotetoHermione:shemighttroubleabouthim，andhedidnotwanttheonusofthis。Soatthestation，hewrotesaying:

Iwillgoontotown——Idon"twanttocomebacktoBreadalbyforthepresent。Butitisquiteallright——Idon"twantyoutomindhavingbiffedme，intheleast。Telltheothersitisjustoneofmymoods。Youwerequiteright，tobiffme——becauseIknowyouwantedto。Sothere"stheendofit。

Inthetrain，however，hefeltill。Everymotionwasinsufferablepain，andhewassick。Hedraggedhimselffromthestationintoacab，feelinghiswaystepbystep，likeablindman，andhelduponlybyadimwill。

Foraweekortwohewasill，buthedidnotletHermioneknow，andshethoughthewassulking;therewasacompleteestrangementbetweenthem。

Shebecamerapt，abstractedinherconvictionofexclusiverighteousness。

Shelivedinandbyherownself—esteem，convictionofherownrightnessofspirit。

WomenInLove:Chapter9CHAPTERIXCoal—dustGOINGHOMEfromschoolintheafternoon，theBrangwengirlsdescendedthehillbetweenthepicturesquecottagesofWilleyGreentilltheycametotherailwaycrossing。Theretheyfoundthegateshut，becausethecollierytrainwasrumblingnearer。Theycouldhearthesmalllocomotivepantinghoarselyasitadvancedwithcautionbetweentheembankments。

Theone—leggedmaninthelittlesignal—hutbytheroadstaredoutfromhissecurity，likeacrabfromasnail—shell。

Whilstthetwogirlswaited，GeraldCrichtrotteduponaredArabmare。

Herodewellandsoftly，pleasedwiththedelicatequiveringofthecreaturebetweenhisknees。Andhewasverypicturesque，atleastinGudrun"seyes，sittingsoftandcloseontheslenderredmare，whoselongtailflowedontheair。Hesalutedthetwogirls，anddrewupatthecrossingtowaitforthegate，lookingdowntherailwayfortheapproachingtrain。Inspiteofherironicsmileathispicturesqueness，Gudrunlikedtolookathim。

Hewaswell—setandeasy，hisfacewithitswarmtanshoweduphiswhitish，coarsemoustache，andhisblueeyeswerefullofsharplightashewatchedthedistance。

Thelocomotivechuffedslowlybetweenthebanks，hidden。Themaredidnotlikeit。Shebegantowinceaway，asifhurtbytheunknownnoise。

ButGeraldpulledherbackandheldherheadtothegate。Thesharpblastsofthechuffingenginebrokewithmoreandmoreforceonher。Therepeatedsharpblowsofunknown，terrifyingnoisestruckthroughhertillshewasrockingwithterror。Sherecoiledlikeaspringletgo。Butaglistening，half—smilinglookcameintoGerald"sface。Hebroughtherbackagain，inevitably。

Thenoisewasreleased，thelittlelocomotivewithherclankingsteelconnecting—rodemergedonthehighroad，clankingsharply。Themarereboundedlikeadropofwaterfromhotiron。UrsulaandGudrunpressedbackintothehedge，infear。ButGeraldwasheavyonthemare，andforcedherback。

Itseemedasifhesankintohermagnetically，andcouldthrustherbackagainstherself。

`Thefool！"criedUrsulaloudly。`Whydoesn"therideawaytillit"sgoneby？"

Gudrunwaslookingathimwithblack—dilated，spellboundeyes。Buthesatglisteningandobstinate，forcingthewheelingmare，whichspunandswervedlikeawind，andyetcouldnotgetoutofthegraspofhiswill，norescapefromthemadclamourofterrorthatresoundedthroughher，asthetrucksthumpedslowly，heavily，horrifying，oneaftertheother，onepursuingtheother，overtherailsofthecrossing。

Thelocomotive，asifwantingtoseewhatcouldbedone，putonthebrakes，andbackcamethetrucksreboundingontheironbuffers，strikinglikehorriblecymbals，clashingnearerandnearerinfrightfulstridentconcussions。Themareopenedhermouthandroseslowly，asiflifteduponawindofterror。Thensuddenlyherforefeetstruckout，assheconvulsedherselfutterlyawayfromthehorror。Backshewent，andthetwogirlsclungtoeachother，feelingshemustfallbackwardsontopofhim。Butheleanedforward，hisfaceshiningwithfixedamusement，andatlasthebroughtherdown，sankherdown，andwasbearingherbacktothemark。

Butasstrongasthepressureofhiscompulsionwastherepulsionofherutterterror，throwingherbackawayfromtherailway，sothatshespunroundandround，ontwolegs，asifshewereinthecentreofsomewhirlwind。

ItmadeGudrunfaintwithpoignantdizziness，whichseemedtopenetratetoherheart。

`No——！No——！Lethergo！Lethergo，youfool，youfool——！"criedUrsulaatthetopofhervoice，completelyoutsideherself。AndGudrunhatedherbitterlyforbeingoutsideherself。ItwasunendurablethatUrsula"svoicewassopowerfulandnaked。

AsharpenedlookcameonGerald"sface。Hebithimselfdownonthemarelikeakeenedgebitinghome，andforcedherround。Sheroaredasshebreathed，hernostrilsweretwowide，hotholes，hermouthwasapart，hereyesfrenzied。Itwasarepulsivesight。Butheheldonherunrelaxed，withanalmostmechanicalrelentlessness，keenasaswordpressingintoher。Bothmanandhorseweresweatingwithviolence。Yetheseemedcalmasarayofcoldsunshine。

Meanwhiletheeternaltruckswererumblingon，veryslowly，treadingoneaftertheother，oneaftertheother，likeadisgustingdreamthathasnoend。Theconnectingchainsweregrindingandsqueakingasthetensionvaried，themarepawedandstruckawaymechanicallynow，herterrorfulfilledinher，fornowthemanencompassedher;herpawswereblindandpatheticasshebeattheair，themanclosedroundher，andbroughtherdown，almostasifshewerepartofhisownphysique。

`Andshe"sbleeding！She"sbleeding！"criedUrsula，franticwithoppositionandhatredofGerald。Shealoneunderstoodhimperfectly，inpureopposition。

Gudrunlookedandsawthetricklesofbloodonthesidesofthemare，andsheturnedwhite。Andthenontheverywoundthebrightspurscamedown，pressingrelentlessly。TheworldreeledandpassedintonothingnessforGudrun，shecouldnotknowanymore。

Whensherecovered，hersoulwascalmandcold，withoutfeeling。Thetruckswerestillrumblingby，andthemanandthemarewerestillfighting。

Butsheherselfwascoldandseparate，shehadnomorefeelingforthem。

Shewasquitehardandcoldandindifferent。

Theycouldseethetopofthehoodedguard"s—vanapproaching，thesoundofthetruckswasdiminishing，therewashopeofrelieffromtheintolerablenoise。Theheavypantingofthehalf—stunnedmaresoundedautomatically，themanseemedtoberelaxingconfidently，hiswillbrightandunstained。

Theguard"s—vancameup，andpassedslowly，theguardstaringoutinhistransitiononthespectacleintheroad。And，throughthemanintheclosedwagon，Gudruncouldseethewholescenespectacularly，isolatedandmomentary，likeavisionisolatedineternity。

Lovely，gratefulsilenceseemedtotrailbehindtherecedingtrain。

Howsweetthesilenceis！Ursulalookedwithhatredonthebuffersofthediminishingwagon。Thegatekeeperstoodreadyatthedoorofhishut，toproceedtoopenthegate。ButGudrunsprangsuddenlyforward，infrontofthestrugglinghorse，threwoffthelatchandflungthegatesasunder，throwingone—halftothekeeper，andrunningwiththeotherhalf，forwards。

Geraldsuddenlyletgothehorseandleapedforwards，almostontoGudrun。

Shewasnotafraid。Ashejerkedasidethemare"shead，Gudruncried，inastrange，highvoice，likeagull，orlikeawitchscreamingoutfromthesideoftheroad:

`Ishouldthinkyou"reproud。"

Thewordsweredistinctandformed。Theman，twistingasideonhisdancinghorse，lookedatherinsomesurprise，somewonderinginterest。Thenthemare"shoofshaddancedthreetimesonthedrum—likesleepersofthecrossing，andmanandhorsewereboundingspringily，unequallyuptheroad。

Thetwogirlswatchedthemgo。Thegate—keeperhobbledthuddingoverthelogsofthecrossing，withhiswoodenleg。Hehadfastenedthegate。

Thenhealsoturned，andcalledtothegirls:

`Amasterfulyoungjockey，that;"llhavehisownroad，ifeveranybodywould。"

`Yes，"criedUrsula，inherhot，overbearingvoice。`Whycouldn"thetakethehorseaway，tillthetruckshadgoneby？He"safool，andabully。

Doeshethinkit"smanly，totortureahorse？It"salivingthing，whyshouldhebullyitandtortureit？"

Therewasapause，thenthegate—keepershookhishead，andreplied:

`Yes，it"sasnicealittlemareasyoucouldseteyeson——beautifullittlething，beautiful。Nowyoucouldn"tseehisfathertreatanyanimallikethat——notyou。They"reasdifferentastheywellycanbe，GeraldCrichandhisfather——twodifferentmen，differentmade。"

Thentherewasapause。

`Butwhydoeshedoit？"criedUrsula，`whydoeshe？Doeshethinkhe"sgrand，whenhe"sbulliedasensitivecreature，tentimesassensitiveashimself？"

Againtherewasacautiouspause。Thenagainthemanshookhishead，asifhewouldsaynothing，butwouldthinkthemore。

`Iexpecthe"sgottotrainthemaretostandtoanything，"hereplied。

`Apure—bredHarab——notthesortofbreedasisusedtoroundhere——

differentsortfromoursortaltogether。TheysayashegotherfromConstantinople。"

`Hewould！"saidUrsula。`He"dbetterhavelefthertotheTurks，I"msuretheywouldhavehadmoredecencytowardsher。"

Themanwentintodrinkhiscanoftea，thegirlswentondownthelane，thatwasdeepinsoftblackdust。Gudrunwasasifnumbedinhermindbythesenseofindomitablesoftweightoftheman，bearingdownintothelivingbodyofthehorse:thestrong，indomitablethighsoftheblondmanclenchingthepalpitatingbodyofthemareintopurecontrol;asortofsoftwhitemagneticdominationfromtheloinsandthighsandcalves，enclosingandencompassingthemareheavilyintounutterablesubordination，softblood—subordination，terrible。

Ontheleft，asthegirlswalkedsilently，thecoal—minelifteditsgreatmoundsanditspatternedhead—stocks，theblackrailwaywiththetrucksatrestlookedlikeaharbourjustbelow，alargebayofrailroadwithanchoredwagons。

Nearthesecondlevel—crossing，thatwentovermanybrightrails，wasafarmbelongingtothecollieries，andagreatroundglobeofiron，adisusedboiler，hugeandrustyandperfectlyround，stoodsilentlyinapaddockbytheroad。Thehenswerepeckingroundit，somechickenswerebalancedonthedrinkingtrough，wagtailsflewawayinamongtrucks，fromthewater。

Ontheothersideofthewidecrossing，bytheroad—side，wasaheapofpale—greystonesformendingtheroads，andacartstanding，andamiddle—agedmanwithwhiskersroundhisfacewasleaningonhisshovel，talkingtoayoungmaningaiters，whostoodbythehorse"shead。Bothmenwerefacingthecrossing。

Theysawthetwogirlsappear，small，brilliantfiguresintheneardistance，inthestronglightofthelateafternoon。Bothworelight，gaysummerdresses，Ursulahadanorange—colouredknittedcoat，Gudrunapaleyellow，Ursulaworecanaryyellowstockings，Gudrunbrightrose，thefiguresofthetwowomenseemedtoglitterinprogressoverthewidebayoftherailwaycrossing，whiteandorangeandyellowandroseglitteringinmotionacrossahotworldsiltedwithcoal—dust。

Thetwomenstoodquitestillintheheat，watching。Theelderwasashort，hard—facedenergeticmanofmiddleage，theyoungeralaboureroftwenty—threeorso。Theystoodinsilencewatchingtheadvanceofthesisters。

Theywatchedwhilstthegirlsdrewnear，andwhilsttheypassed，andwhilsttheyrecededdownthedustyroad，thathaddwellingsononeside，anddustyyoungcornontheother。

Thentheelderman，withthewhiskersroundhisface，saidinaprurientmannertotheyoungman:

`Whatpricethat，eh？She"lldo，won"tshe？"

`Which？"askedtheyoungman，eagerly，withlaugh。

`Herwiththeredstockings。Whatd"yousay？I"dgivemyweek"swagesforfiveminutes;what！——justforfiveminutes。"

Againtheyoungmanlaughed。

`Yourmissis"udhavesummattosaytoyou，"hereplied。

Gudrunhadturnedroundandlookedatthetwomen。Theyweretohersinistercreatures，standingwatchingafterher，bytheheapofpalegreyslag。Sheloathedthemanwithwhiskersroundhisface。

`You"refirstclass，youare，"themansaidtoher，andtothedistance。

`Doyouthinkitwouldbeworthaweek"swages？"saidtheyoungerman，musing。

`DoI？I"dput"embloody—welldownthissecond——"

TheyoungermanlookedafterGudrunandUrsulaobjectively，asifhewishedtocalculatewhattheremightbe，thatwasworthhisweek"swages。

Heshookhisheadwithfatalmisgiving。

`No，"hesaid。`It"snotworththattome。"

`Isn"t？"saidtheoldman。`ByGod，ifitisn"ttome！"

Andhewentonshovellinghisstones。

Thegirlsdescendedbetweenthehouseswithslateroofsandblackishbrickwalls。Theheavygoldglamourofapproachingsunsetlayoverallthecollierydistrict，andtheuglinessoverlaidwithbeautywaslikeanarcotictothesenses。Ontheroadssiltedwithblackdust，therichlightfellmorewarmly，moreheavily，overalltheamorphoussqualorakindofmagicwascast，fromtheglowingcloseofday。

`Ithasafoulkindofbeauty，thisplace，"saidGudrun，evidentlysufferingfromfascination。`Can"tyoufeelinsomeway，athick，hotattractioninit？Ican。Anditquitestupifiesme。"

Theywerepassingbetweenblocksofminers"dwellings。Inthebackyardsofseveraldwellings，aminercouldbeseenwashinghimselfintheopenonthishotevening，nakeddowntotheloins，hisgreattrousersofmoleskinslippingalmostaway。Minersalreadycleanedweresittingontheirheels，withtheirbacksnearthewalls，talkingandsilentinpurephysicalwell—being，tired，andtakingphysicalrest。Theirvoicessoundedoutwithstrongintonation，andthebroaddialectwascuriouslycaressingtotheblood。ItseemedtoenvelopGudruninalabourer"scaress，therewasinthewholeatmospherearesonanceofphysicalmen，aglamorousthicknessoflabourandmaleness，surchargedintheair。Butitwasuniversalinthedistrict，andthereforeunnoticedbytheinhabitants。

ToGudrun，however，itwaspotentandhalf—repulsive。ShecouldnevertellwhyBeldoverwassoutterlydifferentfromLondonandthesouth，whyone"swholefeelingsweredifferent，whyoneseemedtoliveinanothersphere。Nowsherealisedthatthiswastheworldofpowerful，underworldmenwhospentmostoftheirtimeinthedarkness。Intheirvoicesshecouldhearthevoluptuousresonanceofdarkness，thestrong，dangerousunderworld，mindless，inhuman。Theysoundedalsolikestrangemachines，heavy，oiled。

Thevoluptuousnesswaslikethatofmachinery，coldandiron。

Itwasthesameeveryeveningwhenshecamehome，sheseemedtomovethroughawaveofdisruptiveforce，thatwasgivenofffromthepresenceofthousandsofvigorous，underworld，half—automatisedcolliers，andwhichwenttothebrainandtheheart，awakingafataldesire，andafatalcallousness。

Therecameoverheranostalgiafortheplace。Shehatedit，sheknewhowutterlycutoffitwas，howhideousandhowsickeninglymindless。SometimesshebeatherwingslikeanewDaphne，turningnotintoatreebutamachine。

Andyet，shewasovercomebythenostalgia。Shestruggledtogetmoreandmoreintoaccordwiththeatmosphereoftheplace，shecravedtogethersatisfactionofit。

Shefeltherselfdrawnoutateveningintothemainstreetofthetown，thatwasuncreatedandugly，andyetsurchargedwiththissamepotentatmosphereofintense，darkcallousness。Therewerealwaysminersabout。Theymovedwiththeirstrange，distorteddignity，acertainbeauty，andunnaturalstillnessintheirbearing，alookofabstractionandhalfresignationintheirpale，oftengauntfaces。Theybelongedtoanotherworld，theyhadastrangeglamour，theirvoiceswerefullofanintolerabledeepresonance，likeamachine"sburring，amusicmoremaddeningthanthesiren"slongago。

Shefoundherself，withtherestofthecommonwomen，drawnoutonFridayeveningstothelittlemarket。Fridaywaspay—dayforthecolliers，andFridaynightwasmarketnight。Everywomanwasabroad，everymanwasout，shoppingwithhiswife，orgatheringwithhispals。Thepavementsweredarkformilesaroundwithpeoplecomingin，thelittlemarket—placeonthecrownofthehill，andthemainstreetofBeldoverwereblackwiththickly—crowdedmenandwomen。

Itwasdark，themarket—placewashotwithkeroseneflares，whichthrewaruddylightonthegravefacesofthepurchasingwives，andonthepaleabstractfacesofthemen。Theairwasfullofthesoundofcriersandofpeopletalking，thickstreamsofpeoplemovedonthepavementstowardsthesolidcrowdofthemarket。Theshopswereblazingandpackedwithwomen，inthestreetsweremen，mostlymen，minersofallages。Moneywasspentwithalmostlavishfreedom。

Thecartsthatcamecouldnotpassthrough。Theyhadtowait，thedrivercallingandshouting，tillthedensecrowdwouldmakeway。Everywhere，youngfellowsfromtheoutlyingdistrictsweremakingconversationwiththegirls，standingintheroadandatthecorners。Thedoorsofthepublic—houseswereopenandfulloflight，menpassedinandoutinacontinualstream，everywheremenwerecallingouttooneanother，orcrossingtomeetoneanother，orstandinginlittlegangsandcircles，discussing，endlesslydiscussing。Thesenseoftalk，buzzing，jarring，half—secret，theendlessminingandpoliticalwrangling，vibratedintheairlikediscordantmachinery。

AnditwastheirvoiceswhichaffectedGudrunalmosttoswooning。Theyarousedastrange，nostalgicacheofdesire，somethingalmostdemoniacal，nevertobefulfilled。

Likeanyothercommongirlofthedistrict，Gudrunstrolledupanddown，upanddownthelengthofthebrillianttwo—hundredpacesofthepavementnearestthemarket—place。Sheknewitwasavulgarthingtodo;herfatherandmothercouldnotbearit;butthenostalgiacameoverher，shemustbeamongthepeople。Sometimesshesatamongtheloutsinthecinema:rakish—looking，unattractiveloutstheywere。Yetshemustbeamongthem。

And，likeanyothercommonlass，shefoundher`boy。"Itwasanelectrician，oneoftheelectriciansintroducedaccordingtoGerald"snewscheme。Hewasanearnest，cleverman，ascientistwithapassionforsociology。Helivedaloneinacottage，inlodgings，inWilleyGreen。Hewasagentleman，andsufficientlywell—to—do。Hislandladyspreadthereportsabouthim;

hewouldhavealargewoodentubinhisbedroom，andeverytimehecameinfromwork，hewouldhavepailsandpailsofwaterbroughtup，tobathein，thenheputoncleanshirtandunder—clothingeveryday，andcleansilksocks;fastidiousandexactinghewasintheserespects，butineveryotherway，mostordinaryandunassuming。

Gudrunknewallthesethings。TheBrangwen"shousewasonetowhichthegossipcamenaturallyandinevitably。PalmerwasinthefirstplaceafriendofUrsula"s。Butinhispale，elegant，seriousfacethereshowedthesamenostalgiathatGudrunfelt。HetoomustwalkupanddownthestreetonFridayevening。SohewalkedwithGudrun，andafriendshipwasstruckupbetweenthem。ButhewasnotinlovewithGudrun;hereallywantedUrsula，butforsomestrangereason，nothingcouldhappenbetweenherandhim。HelikedtohaveGudrunabout，asafellow—mind——butthatwasall。

Andshehadnorealfeelingforhim。Hewasascientist，hehadtohaveawomantobackhim。Buthewasreallyimpersonal，hehadthefinenessofanelegantpieceofmachinery。Hewastoocold，toodestructivetocarereallyforwomen，toogreatanegoist。Hewaspolarisedbythemen。Individuallyhedetestedanddespisedthem。Inthemasstheyfascinatedhim，asmachineryfascinatedhim。Theywereanewsortofmachinerytohim——butincalculable，incalculable。

SoGudrunstrolledthestreetswithPalmer，orwenttothecinemawithhim。Andhislong，pale，ratherelegantfaceflickeredashemadehissarcasticremarks。Theretheywere，thetwoofthem:twoelegantsinonesense:intheothersense，twounits，absolutelyadheringtothepeople，teemingwiththedistortedcolliers。Thesamesecretseemedtobeworkinginthesoulsofallalike，Gudrun，Palmer，therakishyoungbloods，thegaunt，middle—agedmen。Allhadasecretsenseofpower，andofinexpressibledestructiveness，andoffatalhalf—heartedness，asortofrottennessinthewill。

SometimesGudrunwouldstartaside，seeitall，seehowshewassinkingin。Andthenshewasfilledwithafuryofcontemptandanger。Shefeltshewassinkingintoonemasswiththerest——allsocloseandintermingledandbreathless。Itwashorrible。Shestifled。Shepreparedforflight，feverishlysheflewtoherwork。Butsoonsheletgo。Shestartedoffintothecountry——thedarkish，glamorouscountry。Thespellwasbeginningtoworkagain。

WomenInLove:Chapter10CHAPTERXSketch—bookONEMORNINGthesistersweresketchingbythesideofWilleyWater，attheremoteendofthelake。Gudrunhadwadedouttoagravellyshoal，andwasseatedlikeaBuddhist，staringfixedlyatthewater—plantsthatrosesucculentfromthemudofthelowshores。Whatshecouldseewasmud，soft，oozy，waterymud，andfromitsfesteringchill，water—plantsroseup，thickandcoolandfleshy，verystraightandturgid，thrustingouttheirleavesatrightangles，andhavingdarkluridcolours，darkgreenandblotchesofblack—purpleandbronze。Butshecouldfeeltheirturgidfleshystructureasinasensuousvision，sheknewhowtheyroseoutofthemud，sheknewhowtheythrustoutfromthemselves，howtheystoodstiffandsucculentagainsttheair。

Ursulawaswatchingthebutterflies，ofwhichthereweredozensnearthewater，littleblueonessuddenlysnappingoutofnothingnessintoajewel—life，alargeblack—and—redonestandinguponaflowerandbreathingwithhissoftwings，intoxicatingly，breathingpure，etherealsunshine;

twowhiteoneswrestlinginthelowair;therewasahaloroundthem;ah，whentheycametumblingnearertheywereorangetips，anditwastheorangethathadmadethehalo。Ursularoseanddriftedaway，unconsciouslikethebutterflies。

Gudrun，absorbedinastuporofapprehensionofsurgingwater—plants，satcrouchedontheshoal，drawing，notlookingupforalongtime，andthenstaringunconsciously，absorbedlyattherigid，naked，succulentstems。

Herfeetwerebare，herhatlayonthebankopposite。

Shestartedoutofhertrance，hearingtheknockingofoars。Shelookedround。TherewasaboatwithagaudyJapaneseparasol，andamaninwhite，rowing。ThewomanwasHermione，andthemanwasGerald。Sheknewitinstantly。

Andinstantlysheperishedinthekeenfrissonofanticipation，anelectricvibrationinherveins，intense，muchmoreintensethanthatwhichwasalwayshumminglowintheatmosphereofBeldover。