`Ofcourse，\'heresumed，`Iwouldn\'tnothavehadit！It\'sacompleteexperience。Andshe\'sawonderfulwoman。But——howIhatehersomewhere！It\'scurious——\'
Birkinlookedathim，athisstrange，scarcelyconsciousface。Geraldseemedblankbeforehisownwords。
`Butyou\'vehadenoughnow？\'saidBirkin。`Youhavehadyourexperience。
Whyworkonanoldwound？\'
`Oh，\'saidGerald，`Idon\'tknow。It\'snotfinished——\'
Andthetwowalkedon。
`I\'velovedyou，aswellasGudrun，don\'tforget，\'saidBirkinbitterly。
Geraldlookedathimstrangely，abstractedly。
`Haveyou？\'hesaid，withicyscepticism。`Ordoyouthinkyouhave？\'
Hewashardlyresponsibleforwhathesaid。
Thesledgecame。Gudrundismountedandtheyallmadetheirfarewell。
Theywantedtogoapart，allofthem。Birkintookhisplace，andthesledgedroveawayleavingGudrunandGeraldstandingonthesnow，waving。SomethingfrozeBirkin\'sheart，seeingthemstandingthereintheisolationofthesnow，growingsmallerandmoreisolated。
WomenInLove:Chapter30CHAPTERXXXSnowedUpWHENURSULAandBirkinweregone，GudrunfeltherselffreeinhercontestwithGerald。Astheygrewmoreusedtoeachother，heseemedtopressuponhermoreandmore。Atfirstshecouldmanagehim，sothatherownwillwasalwaysleftfree。
Butverysoon，hebegantoignoreherfemaletactics，hedroppedhisrespectforherwhimsandherprivacies，hebegantoexerthisownwillblindly，withoutsubmittingtohers。
Alreadyavitalconflicthadsetin，whichfrightenedthemboth。Buthewasalone，whilstalreadyshehadbeguntocastroundforexternalresource。
WhenUrsulahadgone，Gudrunfeltherownexistencehadbecomestarkandelemental。Shewentandcrouchedaloneinherbedroom，lookingoutofthewindowatthebig，flashingstars。Infrontwasthefaintshadowofthemountain—knot。Thatwasthepivot。Shefeltstrangeandinevitable，asifshewerecentreduponthepivotofallexistence，therewasnofurtherreality。
PresentlyGeraldopenedthedoor。Sheknewhewouldnotbelongbeforehecame。Shewasrarelyalone，hepresseduponherlikeafrost，deadeningher。
`Areyoualoneinthedark？\'hesaid。Andshecouldtellbyhistoneheresentedit，heresentedthisisolationshehaddrawnroundherself。
Yet，feelingstaticandinevitable，shewaskindtowardshim。
`Wouldyouliketolightthecandle？\'sheasked。
Hedidnotanswer，butcameandstoodbehindher，inthedarkness。
`Look，\'shesaid，`atthatlovelystarupthere。Doyouknowitsname？\'
Hecrouchedbesideher，tolookthroughthelowwindow。
`No，\'hesaid。`Itisveryfine。\'
`Isn\'titbeautiful！Doyounoticehowitdartsdifferentcolouredfires——itflashesreallysuperbly——\'
Theyremainedinsilence。Withamute，heavygesturesheputherhandonhisknee，andtookhishand。
`AreyouregrettingUrsula？\'heasked。
`No，notatall，\'shesaid。Then，inaslowmood，sheasked:
`Howmuchdoyouloveme？\'
Hestiffenedhimselffurtheragainsther。
`HowmuchdoyouthinkIdo？\'heasked。
`Idon\'tknow，\'shereplied。
`Butwhatisyouropinion？\'heasked。
Therewasapause。Atlength，inthedarkness，camehervoice，hardandindifferent:
`Verylittleindeed，\'shesaidcoldly，almostflippant。
Hisheartwenticyatthesoundofhervoice。
`Whydon\'tIloveyou？\'heasked，asifadmittingthetruthofheraccusation，yethatingherforit。
`Idon\'tknowwhyyoudon\'t——I\'vebeengoodtoyou。Youwereinafearfulstatewhenyoucametome。\'
Herheartwasbeatingtosuffocateher，yetshewasstrongandunrelenting。
`WhenwasIinafearfulstate？\'heasked。
`Whenyoufirstcametome。Ihadtotakepityonyou。Butitwasneverlove。\'
Itwasthatstatement`Itwasneverlove，\'whichsoundedinhisearswithmadness。
`Whymustyourepeatitsooften，thatthereisnolove？\'hesaidinavoicestrangledwithrage。
`Wellyoudon\'tthinkyoulove，doyou？\'sheasked。
Hewassilentwithcoldpassionofanger。
`Youdon\'tthinkyoucanloveme，doyou？\'sherepeatedalmostwithasneer。
`No，\'hesaid。
`Youknowyouneverhavelovedme，don\'tyou？\'
`Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbytheword`love，\'hereplied。
`Yes，youdo。Youknowallrightthatyouhaveneverlovedme。Haveyou，doyouthink？\'
`No，\'hesaid，promptedbysomebarrenspiritoftruthfulnessandobstinacy。
`Andyouneverwillloveme，\'shesaidfinally，`willyou？\'
Therewasadiaboliccoldnessinher，toomuchtobear。
`No，\'hesaid。
`Then，\'shereplied，`whathaveyouagainstme！\'
Hewassilentincold，frightenedrageanddespair。`IfonlyIcouldkillher，\'hisheartwaswhisperingrepeatedly。`IfonlyIcouldkillher——Ishouldbefree。\'
ItseemedtohimthatdeathwastheonlyseveringofthisGordianknot。
`Whydoyoutortureme？\'hesaid。
Sheflungherarmsroundhisneck。
`Ah，Idon\'twanttotortureyou，\'shesaidpityingly，asifshewerecomfortingachild。Theimpertinencemadehisveinsgocold，hewasinsensible。
Sheheldherarmsroundhisneck，inatriumphofpity。Andherpityforhimwasascoldasstone，itsdeepestmotivewashateofhim，andfearofhispoweroverher，whichshemustalwayscounterfoil。
`Sayyouloveme，\'shepleaded。`Sayyouwilllovemeforever——won\'tyou——won\'tyou？\'
Butitwashervoiceonlythatcoaxedhim。Hersenseswereentirelyapartfromhim，coldanddestructiveofhim。Itwasheroverbearingwillthatinsisted。
`Won\'tyousayyou\'lllovemealways？\'shecoaxed。`Sayit，evenifitisn\'ttrue——sayitGerald，do。\'
`Iwillloveyoualways，\'herepeated，inrealagony，forcingthewordsout。
Shegavehimaquickkiss。
`Fancyyouractuallyhavingsaidit，\'shesaidwithatouchofraillery。
Hestoodasifhehadbeenbeaten。
`Trytolovemealittlemore，andtowantmealittleless，\'shesaid，inahalfcontemptuous，halfcoaxingtone。
Thedarknessseemedtobeswayinginwavesacrosshismind，greatwavesofdarknessplungingacrosshismind。Itseemedtohimhewasdegradedattheveryquick，madeofnoaccount。
`Youmeanyoudon\'twantme？\'hesaid。
`Youaresoinsistent，andthereissolittlegraceinyou，solittlefineness。Youaresocrude。Youbreakme——youonlywasteme——itishorribletome。\'
`Horribletoyou？\'herepeated。
`Yes。Don\'tyouthinkImighthavearoomtomyself，nowUrsulahasgone？Youcansayyouwantadressingroom。\'
`Youdoasyoulike——youcanleavealtogetherifyoulike，\'hemanagedtoarticulate。
`Yes，Iknowthat，\'shereplied。`Socanyou。Youcanleavemewheneveryoulike——withoutnoticeeven。\'
Thegreattidesofdarknesswereswingingacrosshismind，hecouldhardlystandupright。Aterriblewearinessovercamehim，hefelthemustlieonthefloor。Droppingoffhisclothes，hegotintobed，andlaylikeamansuddenlyovercomebydrunkenness，thedarknessliftingandplungingasifhewerelyinguponablack，giddysea。Helaystillinthisstrange，horrificreelingforsometime，purelyunconscious。
Atlengthsheslippedfromherownbedandcameovertohim。Heremainedrigid，hisbacktoher。Hewasallbutunconscious。
Sheputherarmsroundhisterrifying，insentientbody，andlaidhercheekagainsthishardshoulder。
`Gerald，\'shewhispered。`Gerald。\'
Therewasnochangeinhim。Shecaughthimagainsther。Shepressedherbreastsagainsthisshoulders，shekissedhisshoulder，throughthesleepingjacket。Hermindwondered，overhisrigid，unlivingbody。Shewasbewildered，andinsistent，onlyherwillwassetforhimtospeaktoher。
`Gerald，mydear！\'shewhispered，bendingoverhim，kissinghisear。
Herwarmbreathplaying，flyingrhythmicallyoverhisear，seemedtorelaxthetension。Shecouldfeelhisbodygraduallyrelaxingalittle，losingitsterrifying，unnaturalrigidity。Herhandsclutchedhislimbs，hismuscles，goingoverhimspasmodically。
Thehotbloodbegantoflowagainthroughhisveins，hislimbsrelaxed。
`Turnroundtome，\'shewhispered，forlornwithinsistenceandtriumph。
Soatlasthewasgivenagain，warmandflexible。Heturnedandgatheredherinhisarms。Andfeelinghersoftagainsthim，soperfectlyandwondrouslysoftandrecipient，hisarmstightenedonher。Shewasasifcrushed，powerlessinhim。Hisbrainseemedhardandinvinciblenowlikeajewel，therewasnoresistinghim。
Hispassionwasawfultoher，tenseandghastly，andimpersonal，likeadestruction，ultimate。Shefeltitwouldkillher。Shewasbeingkilled。
`MyGod，myGod，\'shecried，inanguish，inhisembrace，feelingherlifebeingkilledwithinher。Andwhenhewaskissingher，soothingher，herbreathcameslowly，asifshewerereallyspent，dying。
`ShallIdie，shallIdie？\'sherepeatedtoherself。
Andinthenight，andinhim，therewasnoanswertothequestion。
Andyet，nextday，thefragmentofherwhichwasnotdestroyedremainedintactandhostile，shedidnotgoaway，sheremainedtofinishtheholiday，admittingnothing。Hescarcelyeverleftheralone，butfollowedherlikeashadow，hewaslikeadoomuponher，acontinual`thoushalt，\'`thoushaltnot。\'Sometimesitwashewhoseemedstrongest，whistshewasalmostgone，creepingneartheearthlikeaspentwind;sometimesitwasthereverse。
Butalwaysitwasthiseternalsee—saw，onedestroyedthattheothermightexist，oneratifiedbecausetheotherwasnulled。
`Intheend，\'shesaidtoherself，`Ishallgoawayfromhim。\'
`Icanbefreeofher，\'hesaidtohimselfinhisparoxysmsofsuffering。
Andhesethimselftobefree。Heevenpreparedtogoaway，toleaveherinthelurch。Butforthefirsttimetherewasaflawinhiswill。
`WhereshallIgo？\'heaskedhimself。
`Can\'tyoubeself—sufficient？\'herepliedtohimself，puttinghimselfuponhispride。
`Self—sufficient！\'herepeated。
ItseemedtohimthatGudrunwassufficientuntoherself，closedroundandcompleted，likeathinginacase。Inthecalm，staticreasonofhissoul，herecognisedthis，andadmitteditwasherright，tobeclosedrounduponherself，self—complete，withoutdesire。Herealisedit，headmittedit，itonlyneededonelasteffortonhisownpart，towinforhimselfthesamecompleteness。Heknewthatitonlyneededoneconvulsionofhiswillforhimtobeabletoturnuponhimselfalso，tocloseuponhimselfasastonefixesuponitself，andisimpervious，self—completed，athingisolated。
Thisknowledgethrewhimintoaterriblechaos。Because，howevermuchhemightmentallywilltobeimmuneandself—complete，thedesireforthisstatewaslacking，andhecouldnotcreateit。Hecouldseethat，toexistatall，hemustbeperfectlyfreeofGudrun，leaveherifshewantedtobeleft，demandnothingofher，havenoclaimuponher。
Butthen，tohavenoclaimuponher，hemuststandbyhimself，insheernothingness。Andhisbrainturnedtonoughtattheidea。Itwasastateofnothingness。Ontheotherhand，hemightgivein，andfawntoher。Or，finally，hemightkillher。Orhemightbecomejustindifferent，purposeless，dissipated，momentaneous。Buthisnaturewastooserious，notgayenoughorsubtleenoughformockinglicentiousness。
Astrangerenthadbeentorninhim;likeavictimthatistornopenandgiventotheheavens，sohehadbeentornapartandgiventoGudrun。
Howshouldhecloseagain？Thiswound，thisstrange，infinitely—sensitiveopeningofhissoul，wherehewasexposed，likeanopenflower，toalltheuniverse，andinwhichhewasgiventohiscomplement，theother，theunknown，thiswound，thisdisclosure，thisunfoldingofhisowncovering，leavinghimincomplete，limited，unfinished，likeanopenflowerunderthesky，thiswashiscruellestjoy。Whythenshouldheforegoit？Whyshouldhecloseupandbecomeimpervious，immune，likeapartialthinginasheath，whenhehadbrokenforth，likeaseedthathasgerminated，toissueforthinbeing，embracingtheunrealisedheavens。
Hewouldkeeptheunfinishedblissofhisownyearningeventhroughthetorturesheinflicteduponhim。Astrangeobstinacypossessedhim。
Hewouldnotgoawayfromherwhatevershesaidordid。Astrange，deathlyyearningcarriedhimalongwithher。Shewasthedeterminatinginfluenceofhisverybeing，thoughshetreatedhimwithcontempt，repeatedrebuffs，anddenials，stillhewouldneverbegone，sinceinbeingnearher，even，hefeltthequickening，thegoingforthinhim，therelease，theknowledgeofhisownlimitationandthemagicofthepromise，aswellasthemysteryofhisowndestructionandannihilation。
Shetorturedtheopenheartofhimevenasheturnedtoher。Andshewastorturedherself。Itmayhavebeenherwillwasstronger。Shefelt，withhorror，asifhetoreatthebudofherheart，toreitopen，likeanirreverentpersistentbeing。Likeaboywhopullsoffafly\'swings，ortearsopenabudtoseewhatisintheflower，hetoreatherprivacy，atherverylife，hewoulddestroyherasanimmaturebud，tornopen，isdestroyed。
Shemightopentowardshim，alongwhilehence，inherdreams，whenshewasapurespirit。Butnowshewasnottobeviolatedandruined。Sheclosedagainsthimfiercely。
Theyclimbedtogether，atevening，upthehighslope，toseethesunset。
Inthefinelybreathing，keenwindtheystoodandwatchedtheyellowsunsinkincrimsonanddisappear。Thenintheeastthepeaksandridgesglowedwithlivingrose，incandescentlikeimmortalflowersagainstabrown—purplesky，amiracle，whilstdownbelowtheworldwasabluishshadow，andabove，likeanannunciation，hoveredarosytransportinmid—air。
Toheritwassobeautiful，itwasadelirium，shewantedtogathertheglowing，eternalpeakstoherbreast，anddie。Hesawthem，sawtheywerebeautiful。Buttherearosenoclamourinhisbreast，onlyabitternessthatwasvisionaryinitself。Hewishedthepeaksweregreyandunbeautiful，sothatsheshouldnotgethersupportfromthem。Whydidshebetraythetwoofthemsoterribly，inembracingtheglowoftheevening？Whydidsheleavehimstandingthere，withtheice—windblowingthroughhisheart，likedeath，togratifyherselfamongtherosysnow—tips？
`Whatdoesthetwilightmatter？\'hesaid。`Whydoyougrovelbeforeit？Isitsoimportanttoyou？\'
Shewincedinviolationandinfury。
`Goaway，\'shecried，`andleavemetoit。Itisbeautiful，beautiful，\'
shesanginstrange，rhapsodictones。`ItisthemostbeautifulthingI
haveeverseeninmylife。Don\'ttrytocomebetweenitandme。Takeyourselfaway，youareoutofplace——\'
Hestoodbackalittle，andleftherstandingthere，statue—like，transportedintothemysticglowingeast。Alreadytherosewasfading，largewhitestarswereflashingout。Hewaited。Hewouldforegoeverythingbuttheyearning。
`ThatwasthemostperfectthingIhaveeverseen，\'shesaidincold，brutaltones，whenatlastsheturnedroundtohim。`Itamazesmethatyoushouldwanttodestroyit。Ifyoucan\'tseeityourself，whytrytodebarme？\'Butinreality，hehaddestroyeditforher，shewasstrainingafteradeadeffect。
`Oneday，\'hesaid，softly，lookingupather，`Ishalldestroyyou，asyoustandlookingatthesunset;becauseyouaresuchaliar。\'
Therewasasoft，voluptuouspromisetohimselfinthewords。Shewaschilledbutarrogant。
`Ha！\'shesaid。`Iamnotafraidofyourthreats！\'Shedeniedherselftohim，shekeptherroomrigidlyprivatetoherself。Buthewaitedon，inacuriouspatience，belongingtohisyearningforher。
`Intheend，\'hesaidtohimselfwithrealvoluptuouspromise，`whenitreachesthatpoint，Ishalldoawaywithher。\'Andhetrembleddelicatelyineverylimb，inanticipation，ashetrembledinhismostviolentaccessesofpassionateapproachtoher，tremblingwithtoomuchdesire。
ShehadacurioussortofallegiancewithLoerke，allthewhile，now，somethinginsidiousandtraitorous。Geraldknewofit。Butintheunnaturalstateofpatience，andtheunwillingnesstohardenhimselfagainsther，inwhichhefoundhimself，hetooknonotice，althoughhersoftkindlinesstotheotherman，whomhehatedasanoxiousinsect，madehimshiveragainwithanaccessofthestrangeshudderingthatcameoverhimrepeatedly。
Heleftheraloneonlywhenhewentskiing，asportheloved，andwhichshedidnotpractise。Theheseemedtosweepoutoflife，tobeaprojectileintothebeyond。Andoften，whenhewentaway，shetalkedtothelittleGermansculptor。Theyhadaninvariabletopic，intheirart。
Theywerealmostofthesameideas。HehatedMestrovic，wasnotsatisfiedwiththeFuturists，helikedtheWestAfricanwoodenfigures，theAztecart，MexicanandCentralAmerican。Hesawthegrotesque，andacurioussortofmechanicalmotionintoxicatedhim，aconfusioninnature。Theyhadacuriousgamewitheachother，GudrunandLoerke，ofinfinitesuggestivity，strangeandleering，asiftheyhadsomeesotericunderstandingoflife，thattheyalonewereinitiatedintothefearfulcentralsecrets，thattheworlddarednotknow。Theirwholecorrespondencewasinastrange，barelycomprehensiblesuggestivity，theykindledthemselvesatthesubtlelustoftheEgyptiansortheMexicans。Thewholegamewasoneofsubtleinter—suggestivity，andtheywantedtokeepitontheplaneofsuggestion。Fromtheirverbalandphysicalnuancestheygotthehighestsatisfactioninthenerves，fromaqueerinterchangeofhalf—suggestedideas，looks，expressionsandgestures，whichwerequiteintolerable，thoughincomprehensible，toGerald。Hehadnotermsinwhichtothinkoftheircommerce，histermsweremuchtoogross。
Thesuggestionofprimitiveartwastheirrefuge，andtheinnermysteriesofsensationtheirobjectofworship。ArtandLifeweretothemtheRealityandtheUnreality。
`Ofcourse，\'saidGudrun，`lifedoesn\'treallymatter——itisone\'sartwhichiscentral。Whatonedoesinone\'slifehaspeuderapport，itdoesn\'tsignifymuch。\'
`Yes，thatisso，exactly，\'repliedthesculptor。`Whatonedoesinone\'sart，thatisthebreathofone\'sbeing。Whatonedoesinone\'slife，thatisabagatellefortheoutsiderstofussabout。\'
ItwascuriouswhatasenseofelationandfreedomGudrunfoundinthiscommunication。Shefeltestablishedforever。OfcourseGeraldwasbagatelle。
Lovewasoneofthetemporalthingsinherlife，exceptinsofarasshewasanartist。ShethoughtofCleopatra——Cleopatramusthavebeenanartist;shereapedtheessentialfromaman，sheharvestedtheultimatesensation，andthrewawaythehusk;andMaryStuart，andthegreatRachel，pantingwithherloversafterthetheatre，theseweretheexotericexponentsoflove。Afterall，whatwastheloverbutfuelforthetransportofthissubtleknowledge，forafemaleart，theartofpure，perfectknowledgeinsensuousunderstanding。
OneeveningGeraldwasarguingwithLoerkeaboutItalyandTripoli。
TheEnglishmanwasinastrange，inflammablestate，theGermanwasexcited。
Itwasacontestofwords，butitmeantaconflictofspiritbetweenthetwomen。AndallthewhileGudruncouldseeinGeraldanarrogantEnglishcontemptforaforeigner。AlthoughGeraldwasquivering，hiseyesflashing，hisfaceflushed，inhisargumenttherewasabrusqueness，asavagecontemptinhismanner，thatmadeGudrun\'sbloodflareup，andmadeLoerkekeenandmortified。ForGeraldcamedownlikeasledge—hammerwithhisassertions，anythingthelittleGermansaidwasmerelycontemptiblerubbish。
AtlastLoerketurnedtoGudrun，raisinghishandsinhelplessirony，ashrugofironicaldismissal，somethingappealingandchild—like。
`Sehensie，gnadigeFrau——\'hebegan。
`BittesagenSienichtimmer，gnadigeFrau，\'criedGudrun，hereyesflashing，hercheeksburning。ShelookedlikeavividMedusa。Hervoicewasloudandclamorous，theotherpeopleintheroomwerestartled。
`Pleasedon\'tcallmeMrsCrich，\'shecriedaloud。
Thename，inLoerke\'smouthparticularly，hadbeenanintolerablehumiliationandconstraintuponher，thesemanydays。
Thetwomenlookedatherinamazement。Geraldwentwhiteatthecheek—bones。
`WhatshallIsay，then？\'askedLoerke，withsoft，mockinginsinuation。
`SagenSienurnichtdas，\'shemuttered，hercheeksflushedcrimson。
`Notthat，atleast。\'
Shesaw，bythedawninglookonLoerke\'sface，thathehadunderstood。
ShewasnotMrsCrich！So——o——，thatexplainedagreatdeal。
`SollichFrauleinsagen？\'heasked，malevolently。
`Iamnotmarried，\'shesaid，withsomehauteur。
Herheartwasflutteringnow，beatinglikeabewilderedbird。Sheknewshehaddealtacruelwound，andshecouldnotbearit。
Geraldsaterect，perfectlystill，hisfacepaleandcalm，likethefaceofastatue。Hewasunawareofher，orofLoerkeoranybody。Hesatperfectlystill，inanunalterablecalm。Loerke，meanwhile，wascrouchingandglancingupfromunderhisduckedhead。
Gudrunwastorturedforsomethingtosay，torelievethesuspense。Shetwistedherfaceinasmile，andglancedknowingly，almostsneering，atGerald。
`Truthisbest，\'shesaidtohim，withagrimace。
Butnowagainshewasunderhisdomination;now，becauseshehaddealthimthisblow;becauseshehaddestroyedhim，andshedidnotknowhowhehadtakenit。Shewatchedhim。Hewasinterestingtoher。ShehadlostherinterestinLoerke。
Geraldroseatlength，andwentoverinaleisurelystillmovement，totheProfessor。ThetwobeganaconversationonGoethe。
ShewasratherpiquedbythesimplicityofGerald\'sdemeanourthisevening。
Hedidnotseemangryordisgusted，onlyhelookedcuriouslyinnocentandpure，reallybeautiful。Sometimesitcameuponhim，thislookofcleardistance，anditalwaysfascinatedher。
Shewaited，troubled，throughouttheevening。Shethoughthewouldavoidher，orgivesomesign。Buthespoketohersimplyandunemotionally，ashewouldtoanyoneelseintheroom。Acertainpeace，anabstractionpossessedhissoul。
Shewenttohisroom，hotly，violentlyinlovewithhim。Hewassobeautifulandinaccessible。Hekissedher，hewasalovertoher。Andshehadextremepleasureofhim。Buthedidnotcometo，heremainedremoteandcandid，unconscious。Shewantedtospeaktohim。Butthisinnocent，beautifulstateofunconsciousnessthathadcomeuponhimpreventedher。Shefelttormentedanddark。
Inthemorning，however，helookedatherwithalittleaversion，somehorrorandsomehatreddarkeningintohiseyes。Shewithdrewontoheroldground。Butstillhewouldnotgatherhimselftogether，againsther。
Loerkewaswaitingforhernow。Thelittleartist，isolatedinhisowncompleteenvelope，feltthathereatlastwasawomanfromwhomhecouldgetsomething。Hewasuneasyallthewhile，waitingtotalkwithher，subtlycontrivingtobenearher。Herpresencefilledhimwithkeennessandexcitement，hegravitatedcunninglytowardsher，asifshehadsomeunseenforceofattraction。
Hewasnotintheleastdoubtfulofhimself，asregardsGerald。Geraldwasoneoftheoutsiders。Loerkeonlyhatedhimforbeingrichandproudandoffineappearance。Allthesethings，however，riches，prideofsocialstanding，handsomephysique，wereexternals。WhenitcametotherelationwithawomansuchasGudrun，he，Loerke，hadanapproachandapowerthatGeraldneverdreamedof。
HowshouldGeraldhopetosatisfyawomanofGudrun\'scalibre？Didhethinkthatprideormasterfulwillorphysicalstrengthwouldhelphim？
Loerkeknewasecretbeyondthesethings。Thegreatestpoweristheonethatissubtleandadjustsitself，notonewhichblindlyattacks。Andhe，Loerke，hadunderstandingwhereGeraldwasacalf。He，Loerke，couldpenetrateintodepthsfaroutofGerald\'sknowledge。Geraldwasleftbehindlikeapostulantintheante—roomofthistempleofmysteries，thiswoman。ButheLoerke，couldhenotpenetrateintotheinnerdarkness，findthespiritofthewomaninitsinnerrecess，andwrestlewithitthere，thecentralserpentthatiscoiledatthecoreoflife。
Whatwasit，afterall，thatawomanwanted？Wasitmeresocialeffect，fulfilmentofambitioninthesocialworld，inthecommunityofmankind？
Wasitevenaunioninloveandgoodness？Didshewant`goodness\'？WhobutafoolwouldacceptthisofGudrun？Thiswasbutthestreetviewofherwants。Crossthethreshold，andyoufoundhercompletely，completelycynicalaboutthesocialworldanditsadvantages。Onceinsidethehouseofhersoulandtherewasapungentatmosphereofcorrosion，aninflameddarknessofsensation，andavivid，subtle，criticalconsciousness，thatsawtheworlddistorted，horrific。
Whatthen，whatnext？Wasitsheerblindforceofpassionthatwouldsatisfyhernow？Notthis，butthesubtlethrillsofextremesensationinreduction。Itwasanunbrokenwillreactingagainstherunbrokenwillinamyriadsubtlethrillsofreduction，thelastsubtleactivitiesofanalysisandbreakingdown，carriedoutinthedarknessofher，whilsttheoutsideform，theindividual，wasutterlyunchanged，evensentimentalinitsposes。
Butbetweentwoparticularpeople，anytwopeopleonearth，therangeofpuresensationalexperienceislimited。Theclimaxofsensualreaction，oncereachedinanydirection，isreachedfinally，thereisnogoingon。
Thereisonlyrepetitionpossible，orthegoingapartofthetwoprotagonists，orthesubjugatingoftheonewilltotheother，ordeath。