`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。