Butinthebeginningitwasnotconsciousnessoftheman。Itwasnew，sensoriallife，elemental，primitive，aliberationofamillioninheritedinstincts，quiveringandphysical，overwhichEllenhadnomorecontrolthanshehadoverthegloryofthesun。Ifshethoughtatallitwasofherneedtobehidden，likeananimal，lowdownneartheearth，coveredbygreenthicket，lostinthewildnessofnature。Shewenttonature，unconsciouslyseekingamother。Andlovewasabirthfromthedepthsofher，likearushingspringofpurewater，longunderground，andatlastpropelledtothesurfacebyaconvulsion。
Ellengraduallylosthertenserigidityandrelaxed。Herbodysoftened。
Sherolledoveruntilherfacecaughtthelacy，goldenshadowscastbysunandbough。Scattereddropsofrainpatteredaroundher。Theairwashot，anditsodorwasthatofdrypineandsprucefragrancepenetratedbybrimstonefromthelightning。Thenestwhereshelaywaswarmandsweet。Noeyesavethatofnaturesawherinherabandonment。Anineffableandexquisitesmilewreathedherlips，dreamy，sad，sensuous，thesupremityofunconscioushappiness。Overherdarkandeloquenteyes，asEllengazedupward，spreadaluminousfilm，aveil。Shewaslookingintensely，yetshedidnotsee。Thewildernessenvelopedherwithitssecretive，elementalsheathsofrock，oftree，ofcloud，ofsunlight。
Throughherthrillingskinpouredthemultipleandnamelesssensationsofthelivingorganismstirredtosupremesensitiveness。Shecouldnotliestill，butallhermovementsweregentle，involuntary。Theslowreachingoutofherhand，tograspatnothingvisible，wassimilartothelazystretchingofherlimbs，totheheaveofherbreast，totherippleofmuscle。
Ellenknewnotwhatshefelt。Tolivethatsublimehourwasbeyondthought。Suchhappinesswaslikethefirstdawnoftheworldtothesightofman。Ithadtodowithbygoneages。Herheart，herblood，herflesh，herveryboneswerefilledwithinstinctsandemotionscommontotheracebeforeintellectdeveloped，whenthesavagelivedonlywithhissensorialperceptions。Ofallhappiness，joy，bliss，rapturetowhichmanwasheir，thatofintenseandexquisitepreoccupationofthesenses，unhinderedandunburdenedbythought，wasthegreatest。Ellenfeltthatwhichlifemeantwithitsinscrutabledesign。Lovewasonlytherealizationofhermissionontheearth。