`Yousee，Idon\'tknow，Idon\'tunderstand！\'
`Howmuch！\'Hisvoicerangwithapainfulelation。`Idon\'tknoweither——buteverything。\'Hewasstartledbyhisowndeclaration。Itwastrue。
Sohestrippedhimselfofeverysafeguard，inmakingthisadmissiontoher。Hecaredeverythingforher——shewaseverything。
`ButIcan\'tbelieveit，\'saidherlowvoice，amazed，trembling。Shewastremblingwithdoubtandexultance。Thiswasthethingshewantedtohear，onlythis。Yetnowsheheardit，heardthestrangeclappingvibrationoftruthinhisvoiceashesaidit，shecouldnotbelieve。Shecouldnotbelieve——shedidnotbelieve。Yetshebelieved，triumphantly，withfatalexultance。
`Whynot？\'hesaid。`Whydon\'tyoubelieveit？It\'strue。Itistrue，aswestandatthismoment——\'hestoodstillwithherinthewind;`I
carefornothingonearth，orinheaven，outsidethisspotwhereweare。
Anditisn\'tmyownpresenceIcareabout，itisallyours。I\'dsellmysoulahundredtimes——butIcouldn\'tbearnottohaveyouhere。Icouldn\'tbeartobealone。Mybrainwouldburst。Itistrue。\'Hedrewherclosertohim，withdefinitemovement。
`No，\'shemurmured，afraid。Yetthiswaswhatshewanted。Whydidshesolosecourage？
Theyresumedtheirstrangewalk。Theyweresuchstrangers——andyettheyweresofrightfully，unthinkablynear。Itwaslikeamadness。Yetitwaswhatshewanted，itwaswhatshewanted。Theyhaddescendedthehill，andnowtheywerecomingtothesquarearchwheretheroadpassedunderthecollieryrailway。Thearch，Gudrunknew，hadwallsofsquaredstone，mossyononesidewithwaterthattrickleddown，dryontheotherside。Shehadstoodunderittohearthetrainrumblethunderingoverthelogsoverhead。Andsheknewthatunderthisdarkandlonelybridgetheyoungcolliersstoodinthedarknesswiththeirsweethearts，inrainyweather。
Andsoshewantedtostandunderthebridgewithhersweetheart，andbekissedunderthebridgeintheinvisibledarkness。Herstepsdraggedasshedrewnear。
So，underthebridge，theycametoastandstill，andheliftedheruponhisbreast。Hisbodyvibratedtautandpowerfulashecloseduponherandcrushedher，breathlessanddazedanddestroyed，crushedheruponhisbreast。
Ah，itwasterrible，andperfect。Underthisbridge，thecollierspressedtheirloverstotheirbreast。Andnow，underthebridge，themasterofthemallpressedhertohimself？Andhowmuchmorepowerfulandterriblewashisembracethantheirs，howmuchmoreconcentratedandsupremehislovewas，thantheirsinthesamesort！Shefeltshewouldswoon，die，underthevibrating，inhumantensionofhisarmsandhisbody——shewouldpassaway。Thentheunthinkablehighvibrationslackenedandbecamemoreundulating。Heslackenedanddrewherwithhimtostandwithhisbacktothewall。
Shewasalmostunconscious。Sothecolliers\'loverswouldstandwiththeirbackstothewalls，holdingtheirsweetheartsandkissingthemasshewasbeingkissed。Ah，butwouldtheirkissesbefineandpowerfulasthekissesofthefirm—mouthedmaster？Eventhekeen，short—cutmoustache——thecollierswouldnothavethat。
Andthecolliers\'sweetheartswould，likeherself，hangtheirheadsbacklimpovertheirshoulder，andlookoutfromthedarkarchway，attheclosepatchofyellowlightsontheunseenhillinthedistance，oratthevagueformoftrees，andatthebuildingsofthecollierywood—yard，intheotherdirection。
Hisarmswerefastaroundher，heseemedtobegatheringherintohimself，herwarmth，hersoftness，heradorableweight，drinkinginthesuffusionofherphysicalbeing，avidly。Heliftedher，andseemedtopourherintohimself，likewineintoacup。
`Thisiswortheverything，\'hesaid，inastrange，penetratingvoice。
Sosherelaxed，andseemedtomelt，toflowintohim，asifsheweresomeinfinitelywarmandprecioussuffusionfillingintohisveins，likeanintoxicant。Herarmswereroundhisneck，hekissedherandheldherperfectlysuspended，shewasallslackandflowingintohim，andhewasthefirm，strongcupthatreceivesthewineofherlife。Soshelaycastuponhim，stranded，liftedupagainsthim，meltingandmeltingunderhiskisses，meltingintohislimbsandbones，asifheweresoftironbecomingsurchargedwithherelectriclife。
Tillsheseemedtoswoon，graduallyhermindwent，andshepassedaway，everythinginherwasmelteddownandfluid，andshelaystill，becomecontainedbyhim，sleepinginhimaslightningsleepsinapure，softstone。
Soshewaspassedawayandgoneinhim，andhewasperfected。
Whensheopenedhereyesagain，andsawthepatchoflightsinthedistance，itseemedtoherstrangethattheworldstillexisted，thatshewasstandingunderthebridgerestingherheadonGerald\'sbreast。Gerald——whowashe？Hewastheexquisiteadventure，thedesirableunknowntoher。
Shelookedup，andinthedarknesssawhisfaceaboveher，hisshapely，maleface。Thereseemedafaint，whitelightemittedfromhim，awhiteaura，asifhewerevisitorfromtheunseen。Shereachedup，likeEvereachingtotheapplesonthetreeofknowledge，andshekissedhim，thoughherpassionwasatranscendentfearofthethinghewas，touchinghisfacewithherinfinitelydelicate，encroachingwonderingfingers。Herfingerswentoverthemouldofhisface，overhisfeatures。Howperfectandforeignhewas——ahhowdangerous！Hersoulthrilledwithcompleteknowledge。
Thiswastheglistening，forbiddenapple，thisfaceofaman。Shekissedhim，puttingherfingersoverhisface，hiseyes，hisnostrils，overhisbrowsandhisears，tohisneck，toknowhim，togatherhiminbytouch。
Hewassofirm，andshapely，withsuchsatisfying，inconceivableshapeliness，strange，yetunutterablyclear。Hewassuchanunutterableenemy，yetglisteningwithuncannywhitefire。Shewantedtotouchhimandtouchhimandtouchhim，tillshehadhimallinherhands，tillshehadstrainedhimintoherknowledge。Ah，ifshecouldhavethepreciousknowledgeofhim，shewouldbefilled，andnothingcoulddepriveherofthis。Forhewassounsure，soriskyinthecommonworldofday。
`Youaresobeautiful，\'shemurmuredinherthroat。
Hewondered，andwassuspended。Butshefelthimquiver，andshecamedowninvoluntarilyneareruponhim。Hecouldnothelphimself。Herfingershadhimundertheirpower。Thefathomless，fathomlessdesiretheycouldevokeinhimwasdeeperthandeath，wherehehadnochoice。
Butsheknewnow，anditwasenough。Forthetime，hersoulwasdestroyedwiththeexquisiteshockofhisinvisiblefluidlightning。Sheknew。Andthisknowledgewasadeathfromwhichshemustrecover。Howmuchmoreofhimwastheretoknow？Ahmuch，much，manydaysharvestingforherlarge，yetperfectlysubtleandintelligenthandsuponthefieldofhisliving，radio—activebody。Ah，herhandswereeager，greedyforknowledge。Butforthepresentitwasenough，enough，asmuchashersoulcouldbear。
Toomuch，andshewouldshatterherself，shewouldfillthefinevialofhersoultooquickly，anditwouldbreak。Enoughnow——enoughforthetimebeing。Therewerealltheafterdayswhenherhands，likebirds，couldfeeduponthefieldsofhimmysticalplasticform——tillthenenough。
Andevenhewasgladtobechecked，rebuked，heldback。Fortodesireisbetterthantopossess，thefinalityoftheendwasdreadedasdeeplyasitwasdesired。
Theywalkedontowardsthetown，towardswherethelampsthreadedsingly，atlongintervalsdownthedarkhigh—roadofthevalley。Theycameatlengthtothegateofthedrive。
`Don\'tcomeanyfurther，\'shesaid。
`You\'dratherIdidn\'t？\'heasked，relieved。Hedidnotwanttogoupthepublicstreetswithher，hissoulallnakedandalightasitwas。
`Muchrather——good—night。\'Sheheldoutherhand。Hegraspedit，thentouchedtheperilous，potentfingerswithhislips。
`Good—night，\'hesaid。`Tomorrow。\'
Andtheyparted。Hewenthomefullofthestrengthandthepoweroflivingdesire。
Butthenextday，shedidnotcome，shesentanotethatshewaskeptindoorsbyacold。Herewasatorment！Buthepossessedhissoulinsomesortofpatience，writingabriefanswer，tellingherhowsorryhewasnottoseeher。
Thedayafterthis，hestayedathome——itseemedsofutiletogodowntotheoffice。Hisfathercouldnotlivetheweekout。Andhewantedtobeathome，suspended。
Geraldsatonachairbythewindowinhisfather\'sroom。Thelandscapeoutsidewasblackandwinter—sodden。Hisfatherlaygreyandashenonthebed，anursemovedsilentlyinherwhitedress，neatandelegant，evenbeautiful。Therewasascentofeau—de—cologneintheroom。Thenursewentoutoftheroom，Geraldwasalonewithdeath，facingthewinter—blacklandscape。
`IstheremuchmorewaterinDenley？\'camethefaintvoice，determinedandquerulous，fromthebed。ThedyingmanwasaskingaboutaleakagefromWilleyWaterintooneofthepits。
`Somemore——weshallhavetorunoffthelake，\'saidGerald。
`Willyou？\'Thefaintvoicefilteredtoextinction。Therewasdeadstillness。
Thegrey—faced，sickmanlaywitheyesclosed，moredeadthandeath。Geraldlookedaway。Hefelthisheartwasseared，itwouldperishifthiswentonmuchlonger。
Suddenlyheheardastrangenoise。Turninground，hesawhisfather\'seyeswideopen，strainedandrollinginafrenzyofinhumanstruggling。
Geraldstartedtohisfeet，andstoodtransfixedinhorror。
`Wha—a—ah—h—h—\'cameahorriblechokingrattlefromhisfather\'sthroat，thefearful，frenziedeye，rollingawfullyinitswildfruitlesssearchforhelp，passedblindlyoverGerald，thenupcamethedarkbloodandmesspumpingoverthefaceoftheagonisedbeing。Thetensebodyrelaxed，theheadfellaside，downthepillow。
Geraldstoodtransfixed，hissoulechoinginhorror。Hewouldmove，buthecouldnot。Hecouldnotmovehislimbs。Hisbrainseemedtore—echo，likeapulse。
Thenurseinwhitesoftlyentered。SheglancedatGerald，thenatthebed。
`Ah！\'camehersoftwhimperingcry，andshehurriedforwardtothedeadman。`Ah—h！\'cametheslightsoundofheragitateddistress，asshestoodbendingoverthebedside。Thensherecovered，turned，andcamefortowelandsponge。Shewaswipingthedeadfacecarefully，andmurmuring，almostwhimpering，verysoftly:`PoorMrCrich！——PoorMrCrich！PoorMrCrich！\'
`Ishedead？\'clangedGerald\'ssharpvoice。
`Ohyes，he\'sgone，\'repliedthesoft，moaningvoiceofthenurse，asshelookedupatGerald\'sface。Shewasyoungandbeautifulandquivering。
AstrangesortofgrinwentoverGerald\'sface，overthehorror。Andhewalkedoutoftheroom。
Hewasgoingtotellhismother。OnthelandinghemethisbrotherBasil。
`He\'sgone，Basil，\'hesaid，scarcelyabletosubduehisvoice，nottoletanunconscious，frighteningexultationsoundthrough。
`What？\'criedBasil，goingpale。
Geraldnodded。Thenhewentontohismother\'sroom。
Shewassittinginherpurplegown，sewing，veryslowlysewing，puttinginastitchthenanotherstitch。ShelookedupatGeraldwithherblueundauntedeyes。
`Father\'sgone，\'hesaid。
`He\'sdead？Whosaysso？\'
`Oh，youknow，mother，ifyouseehim。\'
Sheputhersewingdown，andslowlyrose。
`Areyougoingtoseehim？\'heasked。
`Yes，\'shesaidBythebedsidethechildrenalreadystoodinaweepinggroup。
`Oh，mother！\'criedthedaughters，almostinhysterics，weepingloudly。
Butthemotherwentforward。Thedeadmanlayinrepose，asifgentlyasleep，sogently，sopeacefully，likeayoungmansleepinginpurity。
Hewasstillwarm。Shestoodlookingathimingloomy，heavysilence，forsometime。
`Ay，\'shesaidbitterly，atlength，speakingasiftotheunseenwitnessesoftheair。`You\'redead。\'Shestoodforsomeminutesinsilence，lookingdown。`Beautiful，\'sheasserted，`beautifulasiflifehadnevertouchedyou——nevertouchedyou。GodsendIlookdifferent。IhopeIshalllookmyyears，whenIamdead。Beautiful，beautiful，\'shecroonedoverhim。
`Youcanseehiminhisteens，withhisfirstbeardonhisface。Abeautifulsoul，beautiful——\'Thentherewasatearinginhervoiceasshecried:
`Noneofyoulooklikethis，whenyouaredead！Don\'tletithappenagain。\'
Itwasastrange，wildcommandfromoutoftheunknown。Herchildrenmovedunconsciouslytogether，inanearergroup，atthedreadfulcommandinhervoice。Thecolourwasflushedbrightinhercheek，shelookedawfulandwonderful。`Blameme，blamemeifyoulike，thatheliestherelikealadinhisteens，withhisfirstbeardonhisface。Blamemeifyoulike。Butyounoneofyouknow。\'Shewassilentinintensesilence。
Thentherecame，inalow，tensevoice:`IfIthoughtthatthechildrenIborewouldlielookinglikethatindeath，I\'dstranglethemwhentheywereinfants，yes——\'
`No，mother，\'camethestrange，clarionvoiceofGeraldfromthebackground，`wearedifferent，wedon\'tblameyou。\'
Sheturnedandlookedfullinhiseyes。Thensheliftedherhandsinastrangehalf—gestureofmaddespair。
`Pray！\'shesaidstrongly。`PrayforyourselvestoGod，forthere\'snohelpforyoufromyourparents。\'
`Ohmother！\'criedherdaughterswildly。
Butshehadturnedandgone，andtheyallwentquicklyawayfromeachother。
WhenGudrunheardthatMrCrichwasdead，shefeltrebuked。ShehadstayedawaylestGeraldshouldthinkhertooeasyofwinning。Andnow，hewasinthemidstoftrouble，whilstshewascold。
ThefollowingdayshewentupasusualtoWinifred，whowasgladtoseeher，gladtogetawayintothestudio。Thegirlhadwept，andthen，toofrightened，hadturnedasidetoavoidanymoretragiceventuality。
SheandGudrunresumedworkasusual，intheisolationofthestudio，andthisseemedanimmeasurablehappiness，apureworldoffreedom，aftertheaimlessnessandmiseryofthehouse。Gudrunstayedontillevening。SheandWinifredhaddinnerbroughtuptothestudio，wheretheyateinfreedom，awayfromallthepeopleinthehouse。
AfterdinnerGeraldcameup。Thegreathighstudiowasfullofshadowandafragranceofcoffee。GudrunandWinifredhadalittletablenearthefireatthefarend，withawhitelampwhoselightdidnottravelfar。
Theywereatinyworldtothemselves，thetwogirlssurroundedbylovelyshadows，thebeamsandraftersshadowyover—head，thebenchesandimplementsshadowydownthestudio。
`Youarecosyenoughhere，\'saidGerald，goinguptothem。
Therewasalowbrickfireplace，fulloffire，anoldblueTurkishrug，thelittleoaktablewiththelampandthewhite—and—blueclothandthedessert，andGudrunmakingcoffeeinanoddbrasscoffee—maker，andWinifredscaldingalittlemilkinatinysaucepan。
`Haveyouhadcoffee？\'saidGudrun。
`Ihave，butI\'llhavesomemorewithyou，\'hereplied。
`Thenyoumusthaveitinaglass——thereareonlytwocups，\'saidWinifred。
`Itisthesametome，\'hesaid，takingachairandcomingintothecharmedcircleofthegirls。Howhappytheywere，howcosyandglamorousitwaswiththem，inaworldofloftyshadows！Theoutsideworld，inwhichhehadbeentransactingfuneralbusinessallthedaywascompletelywipedout。Inaninstanthesnuffedglamourandmagic。
Theyhadalltheirthingsverydainty，twooddandlovelylittlecups，scarletandsolidgilt，andalittleblackjugwithscarletdiscs，andthecuriouscoffee—machine，whosespirit—flameflowedsteadily，almostinvisibly。Therewastheeffectofrathersinisterrichness，inwhichGeraldatonceescapedhimself。
Theyallsatdown，andGudruncarefullypouredoutthecoffee。
`Willyouhavemilk？\'sheaskedcalmly，yetnervouslypoisingthelittleblackjugwithitsbigreddots。Shewasalwayssocompletelycontrolled，yetsobitterlynervous。
`No，Iwon\'t，\'hereplied。
So，withacurioushumility，sheplacedhimthelittlecupofcoffee，andherselftooktheawkwardtumbler。Sheseemedtowanttoservehim。
`Whydon\'tyougivemetheglass——itissoclumsyforyou，\'hesaid。
Hewouldmuchratherhavehadit，andseenherdaintilyserved。Butshewassilent，pleasedwiththedisparity，withherself—abasement。
`Youarequiteenmenage，\'hesaid。
`Yes。Wearen\'treallyathometovisitors，\'saidWinifred。
`You\'renot？ThenI\'manintruder？\'
Foroncehefelthisconventionaldresswasoutofplace，hewasanoutsider。
Gudrunwasveryquiet。Shedidnotfeeldrawntotalktohim。Atthisstage，silencewasbest——ormerelightwords。Itwasbesttoleaveseriousthingsaside。Sotheytalkedgailyandlightly，tilltheyheardthemanbelowleadoutthehorse，andcallitto`back—back！\'intothedog—cartthatwastotakeGudrunhome。Sosheputonherthings，andshookhandswithGerald，withoutoncemeetinghiseyes。Andshewasgone。
Thefuneralwasdetestable。Afterwards，atthetea—table，thedaughterskeptsaying——`Hewasagoodfathertous——thebestfatherintheworld\'
——orelse——`Weshan\'teasilyfindanothermanasgoodasfatherwas。\'
Geraldacquiescedinallthis。Itwastherightconventionalattitude，and，asfarastheworldwent，hebelievedintheconventions。Hetookitasamatterofcourse。ButWinifredhatedeverything，andhidinthestudio，andcriedherheartout，andwishedGudrunwouldcome。
Luckilyeverybodywasgoingaway。TheCrichesneverstayedlongathome。
Bydinner—time，Geraldwasleftquitealone。EvenWinifredwascarriedofftoLondon，forafewdayswithhersisterLaura。
ButwhenGeraldwasreallyleftalone，hecouldnotbearit。Onedaypassedby，andanother。Andallthetimehewaslikeamanhunginchainsovertheedgeofanabyss。Struggleashemight，hecouldnotturnhimselftothesolidearth，hecouldnotgetfooting。Hewassuspendedontheedgeofavoid，writhing。Whateverhethoughtof，wastheabyss——whetheritwerefriendsorstrangers，orworkorplay，itallshowedhimonlythesamebottomlessvoid，inwhichhisheartswungperishing。Therewasnoescape，therewasnothingtograspholdof。Hemustwritheontheedgeofthechasm，suspendedinchainsofinvisiblephysicallife。
Atfirsthewasquiet，hekeptstill，expectingtheextremitytopassaway，expectingtofindhimselfreleasedintotheworldoftheliving，afterthisextremityofpenance。Butitdidnotpass，andacrisisgaineduponhim。
Astheeveningofthethirddaycameon，hisheartrangwithfear。Hecouldnotbearanothernight。Anothernightwascomingon，foranothernighthewastobesuspendedinchainofphysicallife，overthebottomlesspitofnothingness。Andhecouldnotbearit。Hecouldnotbearit。Hewasfrighteneddeeply，andcoldly，frightenedinhissoul。Hedidnotbelieveinhisownstrengthanymore。Hecouldnotfallintothisinfinitevoid，andriseagain。Ifhefell，hewouldbegoneforever。Hemustwithdraw，hemustseekreinforcements。Hedidnotbelieveinhisownsingleself，anyfurtherthanthis。
Afterdinner，facedwiththeultimateexperienceofhisownnothingness，heturnedaside。Hepulledonhisboots，putonhiscoat，andsetouttowalkinthenight。
Itwasdarkandmisty。Hewentthroughthewood，stumblingandfeelinghiswaytotheMill。Birkinwasaway。Good——hewashalfglad。Heturnedupthehill，andstumbledblindlyoverthewildslopes，havinglostthepathinthecompletedarkness。Itwasboring。Wherewashegoing？Nomatter。
Hestumbledontillhecametoapathagain。Thenhewentonthroughanotherwood。Hismindbecamedark，hewentonautomatically。Withoutthoughtorsensation，hestumbledunevenlyon，outintotheopenagain，fumblingforstiles，losingthepath，andgoingalongthehedgesofthefieldstillhecametotheoutlet。
Andatlasthecametothehighroad。Ithaddistractedhimtostruggleblindlythroughthemazeofdarkness。Butnow，hemusttakeadirection。
Andhedidnotevenknowwherehewas。Buthemusttakeadirectionnow。
Nothingwouldberesolvedbymerelywalking，walkingaway。Hehadtotakeadirection。
Hestoodstillontheroad，thatwashighintheutterlydarknight，andhedidnotknowwherehewas。Itwasastrangesensation，hisheartbeating，andringedroundwiththeutterlyunknowndarkness。Sohestoodforsometime。
Thenheheardfootsteps，andsawasmall，swinginglight。Heimmediatelywenttowardsthis。Itwasaminer。
`Canyoutellme，\'hesaid，`wherethisroadgoes？\'
`Road？Ay，itgoesterWhatmore。\'
`Whatmore！Ohthankyou，that\'sright。IthoughtIwaswrong。Good—night。\'
`Good—night，\'repliedthebroadvoiceoftheminer。
Geraldguessedwherehewas。Atleast，whenhecametoWhatmore，hewouldknow。Hewasgladtobeonahighroad。Hewalkedforwardasinasleepofdecision。
ThatwasWhatmoreVillage——？Yes，theKing\'sHead——andtherethehallgates。Hedescendedthesteephillalmostrunning。Windingthroughthehollow，hepassedtheGrammarSchool，andcametoWilleyGreenChurch。
Thechurchyard！Hehalted。
Theninanothermomenthehadclamberedupthewallandwasgoingamongthegraves。Eveninthisdarknesshecouldseetheheapedpallorofoldwhiteflowersathisfeet。Thisthenwasthegrave。Hestoopeddown。Theflowerswerecoldandclammy。Therewasarawscentofchrysanthemumsandtube—roses，deadened。Hefelttheclaybeneath，andshrank，itwassohorriblycoldandsticky。Hestoodawayinrevulsion。
Herewasonecentrethen，hereinthecompletedarknessbesidetheunseen，rawgrave。Buttherewasnothingforhimhere。No，hehadnothingtostayherefor。Hefeltasifsomeoftheclaywerestickingcoldandunclean，onhisheart。No，enoughofthis。
Wherethen？——home？Never！Itwasnousegoingthere。Thatwaslessthannouse。Itcouldnotbedone。Therewassomewhereelsetogo。Where？
Adangerousresolveformedinhisheart，likeafixedidea。TherewasGudrun——shewouldbesafeinherhome。Buthecouldgetather——hewouldgetather。Hewouldnotgobacktonighttillhehadcometoher，ifitcosthimhislife。Hestakedhisallonthisthrow。
HesetoffwalkingstraightacrossthefieldstowardsBeldover。Itwassodark，nobodycouldeverseehim。Hisfeetwerewetandcold，heavywithclay。Buthewentonpersistently，likeawind，straightforward，asiftohisfate。Thereweregreatgapsinhisconsciousness。HewasconsciousthathewasatWinthorpehamlet，butquiteunconscioushowhehadgotthere。
Andthen，asinadream，hewasinthelongstreetofBeldover，withitsstreet—lamps。
Therewasanoiseofvoices，andofadoorshuttingloudly，andbeingbarred，andofmentalkinginthenight。The`LordNelson\'hadjustclosed，andthedrinkersweregoinghome。Hehadbetteraskoneofthesewhereshelived——forhedidnotknowthesidestreetsatall。
`CanyoutellmewhereSomersetDriveis？\'heaskedofoneoftheunevenmen。
`Wherewhat？\'repliedthetipsyminer\'svoice。
`SomersetDrive。\'
`SomersetDrive！——I\'veheardo\'suchaplace，butIcouldn\'tformylifesaywhereitis。Whomightyoubewanting？\'
`MrBrangwen——WilliamBrangwen。\'
`WilliamBrangwen——？——？\'
`WhoteachesattheGrammarSchool，atWilleyGreen——hisdaughterteachestheretoo。\'
`O—o—o—oh，Brangwen！NowI\'vegotyou。Ofcourse，WilliamBrangwen！Yes，yes，he\'sgottwolassesasteachers，asidehisself。Ay，that\'shim——that\'shim！WhycertainlyIknowwherehelives，backyourlifeIdo！Yi——whatplacedotheyca\'it？\'
`SomersetDrive，\'repeatedGeraldpatiently。Heknewhisowncolliersfairlywell。
`SomersetDrive，forcertain！\'saidthecollier，swinginghisarmasifcatchingsomethingup。`SomersetDrive——yi！Icouldn\'tformylifelayholdo\'thelercalityo\'theplace。Yis，Iknowtheplace，tobesureIdo——\'
Heturnedunsteadilyonhisfeet，andpointedupthedark，nighdesertedroad。
`Yougouptheer——an\'youta\'eth\'first——yi，th\'firstturnin\'
onyourleft——o\'thatside——pastWithamsestuffyshop——\'
`Iknow，\'saidGerald。
`Ay！Yougodownabit，pastwheerth\'water—manlives——andthenSomersetDrive，astheyca\'it，branchesoffon\'trighthandside——an\'there\'snowtbutthreehousesinit，nomorethanthree，Ibelieve，——an\'I\'ma\'mostcertainastheirsisth\'last——th\'lasto\'th\'three——yousee——\'
`Thankyouverymuch，\'saidGerald。`Good—night。\'
Andhestartedoff，leavingthetipsymantherestandingrooted。
Geraldwentpastthedarkshopsandhouses，mostofthemsleepingnow，andtwistedroundtothelittleblindroadthatendedonafieldofdarkness。
Hesloweddown，ashenearedhisgoal，notknowinghowheshouldproceed。
Whatifthehousewereclosedindarkness？
Butitwasnot。Hesawabiglightedwindow，andheardvoices，thenagatebanged。HisquickearscaughtthesoundofBirkin\'svoice，hiskeeneyesmadeoutBirkin，withUrsulastandinginapaledressonthestepofthegardenpath。ThenUrsulasteppeddown，andcamealongtheroad，holdingBirkin\'sarm。
Geraldwentacrossintothedarknessandtheydawdledpasthim，talkinghappily，Birkin\'svoicelow，Ursula\'shighanddistinct。Geraldwentquicklytothehouse。
Theblindsweredrawnbeforethebig，lightedwindowofthediningroom。
Lookingupthepathatthesidehecouldseethedoorleftopen，sheddingasoft，colouredlightfromthehalllamp。Hewentquicklyandsilentlyupthepath，andlookedupintothehall。Therewerepicturesonthewalls，andtheantlersofastag——andthestairsgoingupononeside——andjustnearthefootofthestairsthehalfopeneddoorofthedining—room。
Withheartdrawnfine，Geraldsteppedintothehall，whosefloorwasofcolouredtiles，wentquicklyandlookedintothelarge，pleasantroom。
Inachairbythefire，thefathersatasleep，hisheadtiltedbackagainstthesideofthebigoakchimneypiece，hisruddyfaceseenforeshortened，thenostrilsopen，themouthfallenalittle。Itwouldtakethemerestsoundtowakehim。
Geraldstoodasecondsuspended。Heglanceddownthepassagebehindhim。Itwasalldark。Againhewassuspended。Thenhewentswiftlyupstairs。
Hissensesweresofinely，almostsupernaturallykeen，thatheseemedtocasthisownwilloverthehalf—unconscioushouse。
Hecametothefirstlanding。Therehestood，scarcelybreathing。Again，correspondingtothedoorbelow，therewasadooragain。Thatwouldbethemother\'sroom。Hecouldhearhermovingaboutinthecandlelight。Shewouldbeexpectingherhusbandtocomeup。Helookedalongthedarklanding。
Then，silently，oninfinitelycarefulfeet，hewentalongthepassage，feelingthewallwiththeextremetipsofhisfingers。Therewasadoor。
Hestoodandlistened。Hecouldheartwopeople\'sbreathing。Itwasnotthat。Hewentstealthilyforward。Therewasanotherdoor，slightlyopen。
Theroomwasindarkness。Empty。Thentherewasthebathroom，hecouldsmellthesoapandtheheat。Thenattheendanotherbedroom——onesoftbreathing。Thiswasshe。
Withanalmostoccultcarefulnessheturnedthedoorhandle，andopenedthedooraninch。Itcreakedslightly。Thenheopeneditanotherinch——
thenanother。Hisheartdidnotbeat，heseemedtocreateasilenceabouthimself，anobliviousness。
Hewasintheroom。Stillthesleeperbreathedsoftly。Itwasverydark。
Hefelthiswayforwardinchbyinch，withhisfeetandhands。Hetouchedthebed，hecouldhearthesleeper。Hedrewnearer，bendingcloseasifhiseyeswoulddisclosewhatevertherewas。Andthen，veryneartohisface，tohisfear，hesawtheround，darkheadofaboy。
Herecovered，turnedround，sawthedoorajar，afaintlightrevealed。
Andheretreatedswiftly，drewthedoortowithoutfasteningit，andpassedrapidlydownthepassage。Attheheadofthestairshehesitated。Therewasstilltimetoflee。
Butitwasunthinkable。Hewouldmaintainhiswill。Heturnedpastthedooroftheparentalbedroomlikeashadow，andwasclimbingthesecondflightofstairs。Theycreakedunderhisweight——itwasexasperating。
Ahwhatdisaster，ifthemother\'sdooropenedjustbeneathhim，andshesawhim！Itwouldhavetobe，ifitwereso。Heheldthecontrolstill。
Hewasnotquiteupthesestairswhenheheardaquickrunningoffeetbelow，theouterdoorwasclosedandlocked，heheardUrsula\'svoice，thenthefather\'ssleepyexclamation。Hepressedonswiftlytotheupperlanding。
Againadoorwasajar，aroomwasempty。Feelinghiswayforward，withthetipsofhisfingers，travellingrapidly，likeablindman，anxiouslestUrsulashouldcomeupstairs，hefoundanotherdoor。There，withhispreternaturallyfinesensealert，helistened。Heheardsomeonemovinginbed。Thiswouldbeshe。
Softlynow，likeonewhohasonlyonesense，thetactilesense，heturnedthelatch。Itclicked。Heheldstill。Thebed—clothesrustled。Hisheartdidnotbeat。Thenagainhedrewthelatchback，andverygentlypushedthedoor。Itmadeastickingnoiseasitgave。
`Ursula？\'saidGudrun\'svoice，frightened。Hequicklyopenedthedoorandpusheditbehindhim。
`Isityou，Ursula？\'cameGudrun\'sfrightenedvoice。Heheardhersittingupinbed。Inanothermomentshewouldscream。
`No，it\'sme，\'hesaid，feelinghiswaytowardsher。`ItisI，Gerald。\'
Shesatmotionlessinherbedinsheerastonishment。Shewastooastonished，toomuchtakenbysurprise，eventobeafraid。
`Gerald！\'sheechoed，inblankamazement。Hehadfoundhiswaytothebed，andhisoutstretchedhandtouchedherwarmbreastblindly。Sheshrankaway。
`Letmemakealight，\'shesaid，springingout。
Hestoodperfectlymotionless。Heheardhertouchthematch—box，heheardherfingersintheirmovement。Thenhesawherinthelightofamatch，whichsheheldtothecandle。Thelightroseintheroom，thensanktoasmalldimness，astheflamesankdownonthecandle，beforeitmountedagain。