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。